Ty Simpson and Matthew Stafford have been getting their first practices together, easing into the dynamic that will take place in 2026. Stafford has been getting practice as the mentor with Simpson working as the student. Any high-quality student asks questions, and Simpson hasn’t been shy. The young quarterback admitted that his questions might not have been welcome in their quantity.
In an interview clip with Sports Central LA posted on Monday, Simpson joked that he could see that his enthusiasm wasn’t always encouraged. He was asked by a reporter whether he was told to “just relax.”
Thanks for the submission!
•
“I could kind of see it on their face. I’m kidding,” he said.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
“I really appreciate him and Stetson taking me in and answering all of the questions I have,” he added. “I know I’m probably annoying them, but it’s been really helpful, so I can’t thank them enough.”
Stetson Bennett has been working in the background to be ready for the post-Stafford world, and many believed the college football champion would be the eventual successor. However, that baton appears to have been handed off to Simpson via Les Snead.
Matthew Stafford receives runway through age 40 season
After Ty Simpson’s addition, many questioned whether Matthew Stafford was in his final season with the Rams. However, since Simpson arrived, Stafford has received a contract extension tying him to the team through 2028. Of course, one hint left by the contract suggests that the Rams have still left the team some wiggle room if a quarterback change does happen in 2027 or 2028.
According to Spotrac, Stafford will carry a $48 million cap hit in 2026. However, in 2027 and 2028, Stafford’s cap hit will be less than half that, with $24 million and $22 million in each season. As such, if the team moves on, the hit will be a fraction of what it would be if the $48 million were spread out evenly over the other years (which would have been roughly $31 million per year).
The contract cap hit structure has leaned much heavier into 2026 because Los Angeles is confident that Stafford will be the answer this season. However, the numbers show that Los Angeles is not as confident, but it also still has the door open. Les Snead has appeared to have gone all-in for 2026 and left options for the future at a deeper level than simply trading for Myles Garrett and drafting Simpson.
Edited by Ian Van Roy
