Sean McVay has made it crystal clear: Ty Simpson is gonna see the field a ton this preseason for the Los Angeles Rams. But don’t expect fireworks, folks. The word from the Rams’ coach is that for Year 1 of the “Ty Simpson Plan,” the goal isn’t to ball out, it’s demonstrating “basic competence.” Seriously. And if that sounds like they’re handling their first-round pick with kid gloves, well, you’re not wrong to think that.
Not Your Typical First-Rounder
Let’s be real, when you’re a first-round quarterback, fans want to see you light it up from day one. But Simpson? This dude is a straight-up project, no two ways about it. We’re talking about a guy who barely saw any real game action since he hit Alabama back in 2022. Yeah, he had one decent season as a starter that got him picked in the first round this past spring. But before that? He threw fewer than 30 passes over THREE years. Think about that for a second. McVay’s not wrong about the goal for this preseason, though. It’s all about getting reps, getting under center, going through progressions, feeling the heat. It’s about building a foundation, not launching a highlight reel.
History Says This Is a Tough Road
While we all hope for the best, history isn’t exactly screaming “superstar” for guys like Simpson. There’s a reason Bill Parcells always preached drafting experienced college quarterbacks. Dane Brugler dropped a list of first-round QBs from the last decade with 15 or fewer college starts, and it’s… not inspiring. We’re talking Anthony Richardson, who was super inexperienced and didn’t have special production in college. Mitchell Trubisky? An older, one-year wonder. Dwayne Haskins? Young, but also a one-year wonder. Not exactly Hall of Fame company. You look at a guy like Josh Allen, who became an elite QB, and he still started 26 games in college over three years, plus another six in JUCO. Even Jordan Love, who took time to develop, was a full-time starter for multiple seasons. Simpson’s road, with his limited experience, is just inherently tougher. It’s possible, sure, but the odds are stacked against him making incredible things happen right away.
So what’s next for Ty Simpson? It’s all about the grind in these preseason games. Forget the highlight plays for now. The stakes are huge for the Rams’ investment and Simpson’s entire career. Every rep he gets, every handoff, every progression, is building block number one for a very raw, very high-potential player. Let’s see if he can at least show that “basic competence” and start laying the groundwork for something more down the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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