New NFL Rumors Reveal Myles Garrett Trade Talks Pushed Rams to Draft Ty Simpson in 1st Round

The Los Angeles Rams already had plans for the Myles Garrett trade in place when they selected Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue and Zac Jackson reported Tuesday.

Rodrigue and Jackson reported the Rams and Cleveland Browns' "joint confidence that they'd get the trade done in large part informed the Rams' surprising pick at No. 13."

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer previously reported that Rams and Browns had been talking about a potential Garrett trade "since draft time."

"One of the reasons they selected Ty Simpson in first round was because they knew they'd be without at least next year's one," Glazer reported.

Rams head coach Sean McVay went viral for initially appearing less than enthusiastic about the Simpson pick as he reaffirmed reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford would remain the team's starter going forward.

Rodrigue and Jackson reported that did not match McVay's feelings on Simpson behind the scenes.

According to Rodrigue and Jackson, McVay had privately "raved to people about Simpson for a couple of weeks and believed the team could develop him into a legitimate starting quarterback, especially given the cushion of time the Rams still expected" from Stafford.

The selection also allowed Rams general manager Les Snead to feel he had more flexibility to give up a package including a 2027 first-rounder for Garrett.

According to Rodrigue and Jackson, a team source said: "If you're gonna trade future first-round picks for a player, you had better know who your quarterback is gonna be."

That matches a recent report from The MMQB's Albert Breer, who reported Monday the Rams saw using the No. 13 pick on Simpson as giving the team "the flexibility they needed to help Stafford get another ring in the most profound way possible."

"With their next quarterback in the fold, the team could afford to be more creative to find a way to add another massive piece because they wouldn't need to worry about spending a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028 on Stafford's replacement," Breer wrote.

Garrett, who will turn 31 in December, is currently signed through the 2030 season.

The Rams have Stafford under contract for two more seasons, although rolling guarantees included in the deal essentially mean team and quarterback will be reviewing the contract on a year-by-year basis.

That might mean Garrett could still be starring on the Rams' defense when the team potentially turns to Simpson to take over following Stafford's eventual NFL retirement.