Matthew Stafford Reveals Text to Ty Simpson After 2026 NFL Draft, Praises Rookie QB

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford revealed his text message to fellow passer Ty Simpson after the team selected him with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

"Listen, I was a big fan of Ty when he was playing at Alabama," Stafford said during a Wednesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (0:27 mark). "I sent him a text after he got drafted and said, 'Really enjoyed watching you play, just you were in the wrong jersey, you weren't a Dog.' I did enjoy watching him play. He's a talented kid. I'm going to do everything I can to get this team ready to play, to win, but at the same time share some of the knowledge I've gained throughout my career because I wouldn't be in the seat that I am right now talking to you guys after a really good football season if I didn't have people that were helping me out along the way too."

Stafford was a standout at Georgia before his 17-year NFL career, while Simpson spent his entire college tenure with Alabama.

Last year, Stafford earned MVP honors as he helped lead the Rams to a 12-5 record before advancing to the NFC Championship Game.

Although he's 38 years old, Los Angeles' decision to draft a quarterback in the first round came as a surprise to some.

Stafford also ended up signing a one-year extension worth $55 million to keep him under contract with the Rams through the 2027 season on May 21.

While the veteran is now teammates with a player that could eventually become his long-term replacement, there doesn't seem to be any animosity between the signal-callers.