Dan Orlovsky Makes Stance Clear on Rams' Decision to Draft Ty Simpson
The Los Angeles Rams made one of the biggest quarterback moves of the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, and Dan Orlovsky wasted no time making it clear how he felt about it. Orlovsky has been one of Simpson's biggest supporters throughout the draft process, consistently praising his talent and long-term potential.
So when the Rams made the call, it felt less like a surprise and more like validation. With Matthew Stafford nearing the later stages of his career, many see Simpson as the natural next chapter for the franchise, and Orlovsky believes Los Angeles may have just found its quarterback for the next decade.
In his latest appearance on ESPN's ‘Get Up' Orlovsky commented on the Rams' choice saying, "This is the way that high-end organizations operate. ... I think he's gonna be a very good player for 10+ years under Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams."
A Closer Look at Ty Simpson at the Rams
The Los Angeles Rams made one of the most interesting moves of the first round by taking Ty Simpson, but they are not rushing into a quarterback handover just yet. Even after spending the 13th pick on him, the message from Sean McVay was simple: Matthew Stafford is still firmly in charge.
That probably should not surprise anyone. Stafford is coming off an MVP season and has shown he can still lead at the highest level, so the Rams are not looking to force a change for the sake of it. Simpson may be the future, but the present still runs through Stafford.
Honestly, it might be the best possible situation for the rookie. Instead of carrying the pressure of starting right away, he gets to sit behind a veteran who has seen everything the league can throw at a quarterback. That kind of learning environment is hard to find, especially for a young player coming out of college.
At the same time, Simpson is not even guaranteed the backup role on Day 1. He still has to compete and prove himself, which shows the Rams want him to earn every step rather than simply handing him the job because of draft status.
The long-term picture is still clear, though. Los Angeles would not invest that kind of draft capital unless they believed Simpson could eventually be the next face of the franchise.
Related: Kayden McDonald Accepts Roger Goodell's Invite After First Day of 2026 NFL Draft
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 12:54 PM.