Simpson started only 15 games in college over four seasons, making him a historic outlier in size, weight, and starting experience. Only one quarterback (Mitchell Trubisky) has made a Pro Bowl with 15 or fewer college starts. Simpson lacks elite athletic tools and is closer to Mac Jones or Brock Purdy than to Matthew Stafford, according to multiple reports. He also suffered a rib injury that wrecked his second half of the season.
Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed less than enthusiastic about the pick at the post-draft press conference, according to multiple reports. Simpson said he has never met McVay. Rams general manager Les Snead told Simpson he was a first-round pick, which influenced Simpson's decision to enter the draft. Snead has a close relationship with Simpson's father, Jason Simpson.
Let's make one thing clear, this is Matthew's team.
McVay said Matthew Stafford is still the Rams' starting quarterback and that Simpson will compete for the backup job with Stetson Bennett IV. "Let's make one thing clear, this is Matthew's team," McVay said. McVay also said Stafford could play into his late 40s, though multiple reports indicate Stafford has toyed with retirement and has only one or two years left in the league. McVay declined to say whether he discussed the pick with Stafford. Fans on social media speculated that McVay was against the pick. Simpson expressed excitement about joining the Rams and learning from McVay. "The fact that coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams took a chance on me, who's a quarterback genius, I'm super pumped. I can't wait to get to L.A.," Simpson said. He admired Stafford's calmness and ability to manipulate defenses.
He's gonna be able to play as long as he's able to, whether that's one, two more, who knows, he might be one of those guys that plays late into his 40s. I wouldn't have a problem with that.