The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to take Ty Simpson at No. 13 was made well before the draft took place, according to Eric Weddle.
The former star safety revealed on the “Zero 2 Sixty” podcast this week that Rams head coach Sean McVay told him the Monday before the draft that they planned to take the Alabama quarterback in the first round.
“I was sworn to secrecy,” Weddly said. “It was me, Sean, and [general manager] Les [Snead] were the only ones that knew.”
Weddle, who played for the Rams in 2019 and then came out of retirement in 2021 to play for McVay, explained that the circle of trust was kept incredibly tight to prevent rival franchises from jumping ahead of Los Angeles. The Rams’ front office knew that multiple teams slated to pick later in the first round were heavily interested in securing Simpson as their quarterback of the future. One of those teams was likely the Arizona Cardinals, who are now coached by ex-Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
While drafting a quarterback in the first round can occasionally create friction with an incumbent veteran, Weddle dismissed the idea of any tension between Stafford and the rookie. Drawing on his own experience from 2019—when McVay called Weddle to give him a heads-up just five picks before the Rams drafted safety Taylor Rapp—the 14-year NFL veteran emphasized that security at the position is beneficial for the franchise.
“You reward the MVP and you say, ‘Listen, you play as long as you want. This guy’s going to sit and learn from you. There is no QB competition,'” Weddle said.
This lines up well with what Stafford has already said about his relationship with Simpson ahead of the 2026 season. And, according to Weddle, the internal timeline for Simpson’s development is flexible, with the expectation that the rookie will sit and learn for at least two to three seasons. Stafford recently signed a new deal that keeps him on the team through 2027.
By executing this plan, the Rams aim to avoid a prolonged rebuilding phase at the game’s most critical position whenever Stafford decides to step away. Instead, they secure a viable succession plan on a cost-controlled rookie contract, allowing the front office to continue building a competitive roster around the quarterback position for the long haul.
And considering how McVay was the one to break the news to Weddle, it sounds as if the Rams head coach did play a large role in the decision to take the Alabama quarterback despite rumors of his unhappiness with the pick.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay told ex-Rams DB that he’d take Ty Simpson days before draft
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
