It's been just two months since the Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL world by snagging Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft. The plan was clear: groom him as the successor to Matthew Stafford. But early returns from practice have Rams fans hitting the panic button.
According to Nate Atkins of The Athletic, Simpson is locked in a dead heat with fourth-year QB Stetson Bennett for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Bennett, a former Georgia standout, has yet to attempt a single NFL pass since entering the league in 2023. That a first-round pick can't pull away from a career backup—one who's never seen game action—has fans questioning whether Simpson is developing as hoped.
Social media erupted with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright mockery. "Well that's…. not a great sign from Ty Simpson," one user posted on X. Another wrote, "Stetson Bennett spent 7 yrs in college. Be hilarious if he was the primary back to Stafford over Ty Simpson." The skepticism was blunt: "Wait… a high first-round pick – Ty Simpson – can't even be a primary backup quarterback??" a third fan chimed in, while another simply declared, "I'm once again here to tweet that Ty Simpson STINKS."
The Rams' backup quarterback situation has become a glaring concern, especially with Jimmy Garoppolo leaning toward retirement. The team views the QB2 role as a "significant" need behind the 38-year-old Stafford, per Atkins. That urgency makes Simpson's stagnation all the more alarming for a franchise that invested a premium pick in him.
Some fans, however, see a silver lining. "This tells me more about Bennett than it does Simpson," one optimist argued. And it's true—Bennett has had four years to absorb the system and may simply be more comfortable in practice. But for a rookie taken in the top 15, the expectation is to flash enough talent to at least outshine a journeyman.
It's worth remembering that we're still in the early days of OTAs and minicamp. Simpson hasn't even gone through a full training camp yet. The Rams' coaching staff surely knew his development would take time when they drafted him. Still, the optics of a first-rounder struggling to separate from a career backup are hard to ignore.
This situation echoes other high-profile quarterback battles where development didn't go as planned. Just as the NFL considers overhauling officiating to improve consistency, teams are constantly tweaking how they groom young QBs. For the Rams, the clock is ticking on Simpson's progress.
For now, Rams fans can only hope that these practice struggles are just growing pains. But if Simpson can't assert himself soon, the team may have to explore other options—like leaning on a veteran or even giving Bennett a shot. The pressure is on for the rookie to prove he's more than a draft-day reach.
