The Los Angeles Rams made the bold decision to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Transitioning to a high-octane offense under head coach Sean McVay isn’t easy for a rookie, but, according to Rams veteran safety Quentin Lake, the young signal-caller is navigating the early stages of his pro career remarkably well.
Appearing on Underdog’s “The Arena: Gridiron,” Lake shared his perspective on the rookie’s progression through early offseason workouts. While Lake noted that he hasn’t personally lined up directly across from Simpson in team drills just yet, he has kept a close eye on the baseline intelligence and technical execution the rookie has put on film.
“He can read the offense,” Lake said of Simpson. “Even coming in early, he’s been able to make all the throws that he needs to. Very calculated. I think one of the reasons why they liked him so much is he can anticipate things, too.”
Quentin Lake talks about what he’s seen from Ty Simpson at OTA’s 👀 pic.twitter.com/kLuVg06Cqz
— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) May 29, 2026
It’s very early in Simpson’s NFL development, but Lake senses that things are clicking quickly for the Alabama product. He attributes that rapid comfort level to the exceptional infrastructure and personnel surrounding the rookie in Los Angeles.
“Watching him from afar, he’s getting there. It’s starting to click,” Lake said. “And I think it’s because of who he has around him, telling him what to do, what to look at. For Ty, having an MVP quarterback [like Matthew Stafford] is going to help him have that ability.”
Stafford, to his credit, has already said he’s prepared to give Simpson everything he needs to succeed in the L.A.
However, while Lake is highly optimistic about Simpson’s projectable traits and willingness to learn, he was quick to shut down any premature talent comparisons to Stafford. When pressed on how the rookie’s raw arm talent stacks up against the veteran’s legendary arm, Lake laughed before setting a clear boundary.
“I’m not going to say his arm talent isn’t great, but no one—I don’t think—the only two people in the league, or three people, maybe four, that have arm talent like Matthew Stafford are Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and maybe Justin Herbert,” Lake explained. “[Stafford] can throw 60 yards in the air on a dime, every time. No hitch, no nothing… Ty Simpson and Matthew Stafford, although Ty has a great arm, Matthew Stafford is a different breed.”
This is to be expected when you’re comparing a one-year college starter to a 17-year NFL starter. But Simpson will get a front-row seat to one of the best head coach-quarterback duos in the NFL between Stafford and McVay. And, since Stafford is signed under contract for at least another two years, Simpson won’t have to be thrust into a starting role unless catastrophe strikes.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams DB Quentin Lake likes what he’s seen from Ty Simpson already
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