Rams’ surprise first-round pick dealt harsh reality and will follow J.J. McCarthy as ‘career backup’

Jul 4, 2026 - 15:45

The Los Angeles Rams turned heads on draft night with a surprise first-round selection.

With the 13th overall pick, the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, in a move that even appeared to bemuse head coach Sean McVay.

Ty Simpson of Alabama embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 13th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. — Los Angeles shocked everyone when they selected Simpson 13th overall

The early Super Bowl favorites have arguably the best roster in the entire NFL, boosted by the stunning acquisition of Myles Garrett.

To select a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft, particularly with reigning-MVP Matthew Stafford leading the pack, was certainly an interesting decision.

And now, former two-time NFL General Manager Scot McCloughan has given Simpson’s future a harsh outlook.

“I think the quarterback from Alabama is overdrafted,” McCloughan said on the Team 980 in D.C., via Valentina Martinez of the New York Post.

“But it’s the position alone, you know. I think, not being a guru, but he’s like J.J. McCarthy. He’s like Mac Jones. He’s a career backup.

“Ideally, he might start, but that’s because of where his pick was and they want to prove everybody right, you know, type of thing.

“And that’s not the way you should build a roster. Not at all.”

Ahead of the NFL Draft, there were claims that Simpson was the best quarterback in the class that included eventual No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

In his lone season as Alabama starter, in which he dealt with a back injury, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and added two touchdowns on the ground.

Simpson’s dose of reality and comparison to McCarthy has come amid a tough week for the Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

Ty Simpson #15 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during organized team activities workout at Rams Village at the Warner Center on May 28, 2026 in Woodland Hills, California. — Scott McCloughan has named Simpson as a career backup

quarterback Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts before the game during the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. — Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship Game and to the College Football Playoff

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 10, 2026 in Eagan, Minnesota. — J.J. McCarthy is trying to win the Vikings quarterback battle

Dianna Russini, who resigned from The Athletic, was caught saying he “sucks” in a leaked video footage from her January traffic stop.

McCarthy is currently doing battle with former Arizona Cardinals hurler Kyler Murray to be named starter Minnesota’s starting signal caller for 2026.

The 24-year-old, who was selected 10th overall by the Vikings in 2024, missed his entire rookie year through injury and failed to impress once handed the keys last year.

Despite McCarthy’s former quarterbacks coach urging Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell not to give up on him, Murray is the favorite heading into the new season.

However, McCarthy is not totally out of the picture just yet, and according to some still has a good shot at winning the starting role.

With that said, it appears both Simpson and McCarthy face identical uphill battles to prove their skeptics wrong this upcoming season.

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