The Los Angeles Rams didn’t select Ty Simpson in the most recent NFL Draft. But according to Albert Breer’s behind-the-scenes reporting, they came remarkably close—and his analysis sheds more light on the team’s direction than any official pick ever could. Breer, a respected voice in NFL media known for his league-wide sourcing and strategic clarity, peeled back the curtain on how a quarterback many considered a long shot almost became a cornerstone of the Rams’ rebuild.
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about process, risk tolerance, and how a franchise still climbing out of post-Super Bowl restructuring evaluates upside in a volatile market. Breer’s takeaways reveal that the Rams weren’t just scouting players—they were stress-testing their entire philosophy on quarterback development.
Why Ty Simpson Resonated
With the Rams’ Vision
Albert Breer highlighted a key insight: the Rams weren’t chasing safe, polished prospects. They were hunting for traits—arm talent, improvisational ability, athleticism—that could be molded through their coaching infrastructure. Simpson, despite a limited starting résumé at Oregon, flashed all three.
Unlike quarterbacks with years of film against Power Five competition, Simpson’s body of work is thin. But Breer noted that L.A.’s personnel team, led by Brad Holmes and under Sean McVay’s influence, prioritized ceiling over résumé. They saw Simpson’s 6’3”, 210-pound frame, mid-90s velocity on deep outs, and ability to reset his feet in the pocket under duress as developmental gold.
Consider this: in Oregon’s spring game, Simpson launched a 60-yard post route from a collapsing pocket, leading his receiver by three steps. It wasn’t a game situation—but it was a rep the Rams’ scouts flagged. Breer pointed to internal evaluation packets showing Simpson graded higher than higher-profile QBs on “play extension” and “off-platform arm strength”—two metrics the Rams have historically valued in mobile, next-gen signal-callers.
Albert Breer’s Insight Into the Rams’ Draft Room Dynamics
Breer’s reporting offered rare access to how decisions unfold behind closed doors. He described the Rams’ war room as a blend of old-school evaluation and data-driven caution. While Simpson lit up trait-based metrics, concerns about his inexperience weighed heavily.
The Rams had Simpson ranked as a potential third-round value, but Breer revealed they feared reaching too early. "They didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of teams that fell in love with potential and ignored context," Breer wrote. That context includes Simpson’s lack of full-season starting experience, inconsistent decision-making in blitz-heavy packages, and Oregon’s offense—which often masked quarterback deficiencies with elite speed and scheme.
Still, the fact that Simpson was even in the conversation speaks volumes. For a team still navigating life after Matthew Stafford—and with a backup plan that includes seasoned but limited options like Stetson Bennett—the idea of banking on youth with physical tools made internal sense.
Breer noted that the Rams’ interest wasn’t just hypothetical. They conducted a private workout with Simpson in early April, one of only five teams to do so. During the session, Simpson reportedly excelled in scripted play-action concepts—exactly the kind of offense McVay wants to evolve toward with more quarterback mobility.
How the Rams Evaluate Quarterback Upside Differently
The broader theme in Breer’s analysis? The Rams are redefining what “draftable” means at QB. While most teams want proof of command, consistency, and decision-making under pressure, the Rams are betting on teachability.
They’ve invested heavily in their quarterback development pipeline: hiring specialized throwing coaches, using biomechanical tracking via Dartfish for motion analysis, and prioritizing mental processing speed in interviews. Simpson scored high in all three areas during his pre-draft interviews. Breer cited sources who said Simpson “asked the kind of questions about route trees and coverage recognition that made coaches lean forward.”
This aligns with a shift across the league. As analytics show that early-round QBs fail at a staggering rate, more teams are taking fliers on high-upside players in Rounds 2–4. The Rams aren’t alone—but their combination of infrastructure and patience makes them uniquely positioned to succeed with such a gamble.
Compare Simpson to recent Rams draft picks: they took Puka Nacua in the fifth round despite injury questions, and he became a rookie sensation. That precedent—finding hidden value in overlooked profiles—shows why Simpson, despite his lack of experience, felt like a logical extension of their model.
The Role of Coaching Fit in the Rams’ Decision
Breer emphasized one often-overlooked factor: coaching alignment. The Rams didn’t just assess Simpson’s physical tools—they evaluated how he’d respond to feedback.
Sources close to the process told Breer that offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was a key Simpson advocate. Brown, who worked with mobile quarterbacks in Atlanta and Los Angeles, sees value in players who can operate both within structure and outside it. Simpson’s ability to throw accurately on the run—particularly on bootlegs and sprint-outs—mirrored traits Brown valued in earlier protégés.
Moreover, the Rams’ revamped QB room includes coaches who specialize in mechanics correction. If Simpson’s inconsistent footwork or timing on intermediate throws were concerns, the team believed they could fix it. Breer noted that L.A. reviewed film of former Rams QB John Wolford’s development arc—another underrated college player who improved dramatically under their tutelage—as proof of concept.
This focus on coachability over résumé isn’t new, but it’s becoming more refined. The Rams aren’t just looking for quarterbacks—they’re looking for students.
Why the Rams Ultimately Passed on Simpson
Despite the interest, the Rams didn’t draft Ty Simpson. Breer identified two primary reasons.
First, the value didn’t align. When Simpson’s name started creeping into late Day 2 projections, the Rams hesitated. They weren’t willing to sacrifice multiple mid-round picks in a trade-up scenario, especially with other positional needs—offensive line, edge rusher, and secondary depth—lurking.
Second, internal risk assessment kicked in. While Simpson tested well physically, psychological profiling raised mild concerns. Breer reported that Simpson’s pre-draft interviews, while strong, lacked the commanding presence some evaluators expect. One source described him as “polite but reserved”—not a red flag, but not the kind of alpha demeanor that eases draft gamble anxiety.
Ultimately, the Rams opted for more immediate contributors. But Breer stressed that Simpson remains on their radar for post-draft free agency. “They didn’t walk away—they just chose to wait,” Breer noted, suggesting the Rams might sign him as an undrafted free agent or target him in the second window of free agency next spring.
How Breer’s Reporting Changes the Narrative
Albert Breer’s takeaways do more than explain a near-miss—they reframe how we assess team strategies. In an era where mock drafts dominate headlines, Breer reminds us that the real story is often in the almosts.
The Rams’ flirtation with Simpson signals a strategic pivot: they’re no longer just managing a championship window. They’re building a system capable of developing quarterbacks from the ground up. That’s a long-term play, one that prioritizes infrastructure over instant gratification.
Breer’s insight also underscores a league-wide trend: the quarterback market is splitting. On one side are teams drafting for Day 1 readiness. On the other are teams like the Rams, betting on Year 3 breakout potential. The latter approach is riskier, but with the right coaching, it can yield franchise-altering returns.
For fans, this means patience. The Rams may not land a QB this year, but their process—laid bare by Breer’s reporting—suggests they’re preparing for a calculated move down the line.
What This Means for Ty Simpson’s NFL Future
Even without being drafted, Simpson enters the league with momentum. Breer’s reporting confirmed that multiple teams, including the Rams, Dolphins, and Vikings, viewed him as a developmental project with late-round upside.
Simpson’s path likely mirrors that of recent successful undrafted QBs: sign quickly, absorb the offense, and bide time. The Rams’ interest could even boost his leverage in free agency—teams often follow the lead of respected evaluators like L.A.’s front office.
Practically, Simpson needs to refine three areas: - Pre-snap decision-making: Reading coverages faster - Pocket discipline: Staying on rhythm instead of escaping early - Ball placement: Reducing overthrows on intermediate routes
If he improves in those areas—and has access to top-tier coaching—he could emerge as a backup within two seasons. And in today’s NFL, where injuries and underperformance create openings fast, that’s all a young QB needs.
Final Takeaway: Process Over Hype
Albert Breer’s NFL Draft takeaways on the Rams and Ty Simpson aren’t about a missed opportunity. They’re about intentionality. The Rams didn’t gamble recklessly—they stress-tested a hypothesis: Can we develop a quarterback with elite traits but limited experience?
The answer isn’t yet clear. But by going deep on players like Simpson, the Rams are signaling a shift from reactive roster-building to proactive development. Whether Simpson ever wears a Rams jersey, his near-draft story reveals more about their future than a headline pick ever could.
For fans and analysts alike, the lesson is this: pay attention to the names that almost got picked. That’s where real strategy lives.
FAQ
Did the Los Angeles Rams draft Ty Simpson? No, the Rams did not draft Ty Simpson, but multiple reports, including Albert Breer’s, confirm they were seriously considering him.
Why were the Rams interested in Ty Simpson? The Rams valued Simpson’s arm talent, mobility, and potential to grow within their quarterback development system, despite his limited starting experience.
How did Albert Breer learn about the Rams’ interest in Simpson? Breer gathered information through league sources, including personnel executives and individuals familiar with the Rams’ pre-draft evaluations and private workouts.
What were the main concerns about Ty Simpson? Evaluators questioned his lack of full-season starting experience, decision-making under pressure, and whether he could adapt quickly to NFL progressions.
Could Ty Simpson still join the Rams? It’s possible. The Rams may pursue him as an undrafted free agent or target him in future offseason moves, given their documented interest.
How does the Rams’ QB strategy compare to other teams? The Rams prioritize developmental upside and coaching fit over proven production, differing from teams that focus on immediate starters.
What does this mean for the Rams’ 2024 season at QB? The team will likely rely on existing depth—Stafford, if healthy, and backups—while continuing to evaluate young QBs for long-term development.
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