Stafford's 2026 plan: Learning from the shadow

Matthew Stafford, the current starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, has outlined his plans for the 2026 season. The team's recent selection of Ty Simpson as their No. 1 overall pick has brought attention to the future of the quarterback position.

While Stafford remains the undisputed starter, the Rams are strategically developing Simpson to potentially take over in 2026, a year that could be Stafford's last in the league. Stafford has clearly stated that the arrival of Simpson will not alter his approach.

Stafford's primary focus is on preparing himself and the team to perform at their best. He acknowledges Simpson's role within the team and recognizes the unique learning opportunity for the rookie quarterback, who will be observing Stafford and other players. The Rams anticipate that Simpson will gain valuable experience learning from Stafford over the next one to two seasons before stepping into a primary role.