Nick Saban Reacts to Ty Simpson Joining Rams in NFL Draft, Chance to Learn from Matthew Stafford

Longtime Alabama coach Nick Saban sees the Los Angeles Rams as "a perfect situation" for former Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.

Simpson went to Alabama with the No. 13 pick of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

"I think it's a perfect scenario for him... to be able to play behind Matthew Stafford for a few years," Saban said Thursday night on ESPN's SportsCenter.

Saban continued, "I just think he needs to mature a little bit as a quarterback, which means get more reps, get more experience, and then I think he'll be a very, very good player.

"This is a perfect situation for him to get into, though, where he doesn't have to play, where he's going to be able to take some time to develop, and I think it's going to work out perfectly for him."

Stafford, who turned 38 in February, has previously taken his Rams career one year at a time.

He announced when accepting his 2025 league MVP award in February that he would be returning for the 2026 campaign.

Rams general manager Les Snead said earlier this week that "progress has been made" on a new contract for Staffod, per The Athletic's Nate Atkins.

NFL on Fox's Jay Glazer reported Friday that McVay told Stafford the Simpson pick was "for whenever Stafford decides to move on."

Simpson is now on track for a backup role next season after he entered the draft after making just 15 college starts.

Out of quarterbacks drafted in the first round over the last 25 years, only Anthony Richardson, Mitchell Trubisky and Dwayne Haskins had fewer starts, per ESPN Research.

Richardson, the most recently drafted quarterback of that group, struggled when placed in a starting role shortly after his selection in the 2023 draft. The Rams will hope to develop Simpson more effectively by giving him more time to learn behind Stafford before he's called on to start.