Ty Simpson might eventually replace Matthew Stafford — but the latter’s wife, Kelly, had a warm message for the Rams’ first-round draft pick.
Los Angeles shocked the NFL world Thursday night when it selected the former Alabama quarterback at No. 13 overall despite his fellow passer, Stafford, 38, winning MVP last season.
Nonetheless, Simpson told reporters that Kelly reached out to him after he heard his name called.
“Kelly has actually texted me on Instagram,” he said. “Welcomed me and told me to hit her up with my family if we ever need anything.”
While Simpson said he had not yet heard from her husband, the 23-year-old is clearly eager to meet the future Hall of Famer.
“I can’t wait to talk to Matthew,” Simpson said. “I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain about everything, soak up all that knowledge.”
Simpson, who threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns last season for the Crimson Tide, added he’s been a “big fan” of Stafford’s “for a long time.”
Following Stafford’s strong season in 2025 — and his team’s trip to the NFC Championship game — the selection of Simpson was considered a surprise given the fact that he’s expected to be a backup this season.
Even Rams coach Sean McVay did not look thrilled with the selection, and later acknowledged he did indeed look “a little grumpy” – even if “that was never my intended way to come off.”
He added that he and general manager Les Snead “couldn’t be more in lockstep” about their decision-making.
“We’re excited about it,” McVay said. “Always want to be mindful of how things come off, things like that. Very excited about last night, very excited about [Friday] and couldn’t be more excited about us continuing to lead together, but every decision that we make is collective and collaborative.”
Still, McVay stressed following the pick that this is “Matthew’s football team.”
And after Stafford threw a career-high 46 touchdowns last season, he might not be in any rush to mentor Simpson to become his successor.
