Los Angeles Rams first-round pick Ty Simpson is set to make his preseason debut on Saturday as he and the Rams take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.
During training camp, I was able to observe Simpson and ask around about the team’s next QB1. Here’s everything I learned and think about the promising passer so far.
The initial thought
I see it. It’s subtle, but I see it. It’s hard to say what his ceiling could be, but his floor is very high. The feeling that came to mind is that Simpson could become what Jimmy Garoppolo should’ve been. People don’t remember, but healthy-knees Jimmy G was special. In the Shanahan offense, he could do no wrong, and his underrated athleticism had him starring in commercials with Joe Montana and Steve Young.
Simpson has it. He’s quick, he’s fundamentally sound, he is able to get the ball out quickly if needed, and he can be the game manager the team needs to maintain success after Matthew Stafford.
He’ll need time. A lot of time. He’s got it.
Uncompromising opinion
Let’s not mince words. I still hold the thought that the Rams shouldn’t have drafted a quarterback with their first-round pick, but that’s the past. It’s clear that Simpson set up the move for Myles Garrett, as the team didn’t have to conserve picks for a quarterback in upcoming drafts. It’s also clear that the Rams could’ve gotten any quarterback they wanted.
Between Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and the other perpetual runner-up passers who need a Sean McVay-like coach to unlock their true talent in order to win a Lombardi, I still hold the opinion that they could’ve replaced Stafford with another Stafford-like quarterback.
With all that being said, Simpson can win a Super Bowl. The Rams have the defensive talent and the drafting ability to Sam Darnold-it to a title. I was so wrong about Darnold. As it turns out, he didn’t suck. A dash of coaching competency and the belief from championship-caliber teammates put Darnold in position to make the critical throws – this time, without a defender slamming into him.
On a side note, it’s genuinely crazy how it took the NFL years to figure out how to use Darnold. His fundamentals are incredible, and he’s very fast. Did no one think to surround him with a solid defense and a run-based offense? The Rams have the exact same setup. A true WR1, lighting-and-thunder running back duo, and a top defense. As long as Los Angeles’ special teams doesn’t continue to fail, Simpson would enter the exact situation Darnold just won a title with.
Especially as their defense is built to outlast Stafford. This could be like the Denver Broncos with Peyton Manning. Denver wasted that defense after Manning retired. Simpson can manage the team to a Super Bowl, especially with a player like Puka Nacua, with the defense leading the way. It wouldn’t be the first time McVay had a team like that. The 2020 team wasn’t powered by their offense.
He has some faults
Simpson is a young quarterback who needs time to develop. His arm can be questionable at times. He might struggle to push the ball downfield. He isn’t comfortable enough in the pocket quite yet. All of those things will improve. However, he has solid footwork, he understands the complexities of the game, and with the Rams’ multiple offensive personnel packages, Simpson’s deficiencies can be masked with ease.
A student of the game, Simpson just needs to give the reps under his belt before the body of work comes along.
The final call
Floor: Playoff Taylor Heinicke. Ceiling: Drew Brees. I know that’s outrageous, but hear me out. Simpson understands coverages just enough while being able to play under center, giving McVay full access to his playbook. The arc on Simpson’s ball is just Drew Breesy enough for Nacua and Konata Mumpfield to make their wild, acrobatic catches that they love to flash.
More importantly, that arc is just at the right angle to pluck holes in coverages. Who better creates holes in defensive secondaries than McVay? It’s up to Simpson to diagnose where the defenders are because that same arc can easily end up in the hands of the opposition.
The final call is this. Slowly, but surely, Simpson will surprise, then thrive. It’s up to him whether he wins divisions or Super Bowls.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Ty Simpson will show why Rams sought him as their next franchise QB
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brock Vierra, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
