Multiple SEC coaches left puzzled by Rams’ Ty Simpson pick

The Los Angeles Rams were one of the 2026 NFL Draft’s most surprising teams. LA shocked the NFL by taking Alabama QB Ty Simpson in the first round over an immediate starter. It appears that figures around the college football world were just as surprised by that move.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg spoke with college football coaches following the draft. Multiple college coaches were left puzzled by LA’s decision to draft Simpson.

“I honestly was surprised,” an SEC defensive coordinator said about the Simpson pick. “I was surprised by the team, too.”

One SEC defensive coordinator even said that Alabama’s previous quarterbacks (Jalen Milroe and Bryce Young) were tougher to prepare for than Simpson.

“For him to go that high, I was a little bit like, ‘Wow, OK,'” the coach said. “I don’t know how he practices, I don’t know his mind. They were saying he was banged up in the back stretch, but he was just OK. Maybe he has those qualities that you can’t coach that some of these [NFL teams] fell in love with.”

Other SEC coaches shared similar sentiments, claiming that Simpson is not yet ready to become a starter in the NFL. Fortunately, he can sit behind Matthew Stafford and learn from one of the league’s best during his rookie season.

“It’s a great fit for him from a system standpoint, and who he’s going to be behind for a year,” an SEC coach said. “There’s a lot of similarities [with Stafford]. [The pick] was the biggest [surprise], a guy who didn’t have a ton of starts, but when he played, he played well. His long game is going to be really good.”

Simpson will certainly be under the microscope throughout the summer as he adjusts to the NFL.

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