Getty

The Los Angeles Rams want to see some things from Ty Simpson in rookie minicamp.

The Los Angeles Rams may still be working to defend the selection of quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 draft. However, the Rams also already have a plan in place for the incoming rookie, and it goes beyond simply watching Matthew Stafford.

Simpson, for his part, has touted the rookie refrain of being excited to learn, lauding Stafford and Rams head coach Sean McVay in the process.

The Rams will challenge him on that.

Rams’ Plan for Ty Simpson Revealed

Even with Simpson, the Rams hope to avoid the uncertainty of last offseason, when Stafford was sidelined with a back injury, even if it means another MVP-caliber season

That does not mean they do not want to see some particular things from their rookie QB.

“I checked with somebody with the team about Rams minicamp. What do they want to see from Simpson? They said, ‘Just command of the operation, ability to adjust process information.’ Those aspects are going to be his superpowers with the Rams. He’s not the huge, Matthew Stafford[-like] arm. He wins mentally,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “SportsCenter” on May 2.

“That’s why they like him. Les Snead, the GM, told me he likes Simpson’s ‘central nervous system.’ He just has the ability to figure out the game with his mind. So, they want to see that on a full display.”

Simpson shared a post on Instagram expressing just how eager he is to get to work with the Rams.

“Grateful to the Rams organization for making me and my family feel at home,” Simpson said in the post on May 1, which included several images from his draft night experience, with his family, and taking tours of the team’s facilities. “A day we will never forget. Couldn’t be more excited and ready to get to work!”

Notably, Fowler previously decried the Rams’ decision to select Simpson when they did.

“A look at the board suggests Los Angeles could have moved back and still gotten its passer,” Fowler wrote in an article on April 29, suggesting the Detroit Lions-where former Rams exec Brad Holmes is GM–as a potential partner for a trade down.

Ty Simpson Gets Fitting Comparison

Simpson also recently drew a comparison to Brock Purdy of the Rams’ NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. There is an obvious difference in draft slot. Purdy was “Mr. Irrelevant” in his draft class rather than the 13th overall pick.

However, his success is something all young QBs should strive to achieve.

Purdy has led the 49ers to the playoffs in two seasons as their full-time starter, and he started for them in the postseason on three different runs.

“McVay will get everything there is to get from that kid,” an unnamed coach said, per The Athletic’s Mike Sando on April 30. “Whatever you can get from (Brock) Purdy, you can get from this kid. You put a good enough team around him, he can get you a little ways.”

The Rams are not putting it all on Simpson’s shoulders, either.

Insider Doubles Down on Max Klare

In his previous comments about the Rams’ decision to select Simpson 13th overall, Fowler also spoke highly of second-round pick (61st overall) and tight end Max Klare.

“Klare (Ohio State) gives the Rams flexibility in 2027,” Fowler wrote at the time. “Tight end Colby Parkinson is a free agent after this season. ‘Klare and [former second-round pick] Terrance Ferguson can be a really good one-two in two years,’ an NFC scout said. But expect Klare to see the field as a rookie — especially if the Rams roll out unconventional four tight-end sets.”

Fowler tied the Rams’ plans for Klare and Simpson together in his latest reporting.

“I’m told he’s [Klare] expected to play this year,” Fowler said during the show. “Not only this year, but could be one of their top tight ends in 2027. So, they want to build a rapport between Klare and Simpson.”

For as polarizing as the Rams’ handling of the situation was from a public relations standpoint, their football plan is multi-tiered and appears well-planned.