Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams have finally come to terms with quarterback Ty Simpson on his rookie contract, assuring that the first-year signal caller will be with the team for the first day of training camp. Simpson’s contract, which had a predetermined number of years and dollar amount already, is a four-year, $25.4 deal that is fully-guaranteed, and a fifth-year option that the team will need to make a decision on in 2029.
The contract contains a $14.94 million signing bonus, per Ian Rapoport.
Simpson, the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft out of Alabama, is competing against Stetson Bennett to be Matthew Stafford’s backup quarterback. The Rams could also continue to call Jimmy Garoppolo about the job given that the quarterback has put aside thoughts of retirement and is open to the right situation, per reports this week.
I recently spoke to Brent Taylor, an Alabama blogger, about Simpson’s four years with the Crimson Tide. He speaks highly of Simpson’s ability to read a defense and to consume an NFL playbook quickly, the type of skills that should translate well for Sean McVay. But that he will need to gain more awareness of oncoming rushers and pull the trigger faster, things that he will have to work on in training camp.
McVay has spoken more highly of Bennett’s development this offseason than Simpson’s, but that’s only through a handful of practices. Nothing compared to training camp. So with Simpson under contract, the competition can really begin.
