Since 2021, when the Los Angeles Rams traded for Matthew Stafford, head coach Sean McVay has grown rather fond of the quarterback. After all, leading his almost perfect roster is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. But the writing on the wall is getting too apparent to ignore: The 38-year-old is closer to retirement than not.

And in a quarterback’s league, you always need to prepare your next man up. General manager Les Snead certainly planned that as he picked Ty Simpson of Alabama as his 13th pick last night. But for McVay, it is signalling towards the end of an era for more than one reason.

Throughout their press conference after picking Simpson, McVay sat beside Snead, stone-faced. Of course, he knew about the move, but his lack of words and body language suggested that he did not approve of it. What’s interesting is that this move hints towards two things McVay isn’t seemingly prepared for…

First, of course, is replacing Matthew Stafford. The reigning league MVP is aging like a fine wine, but his age cannot be ignored for too long. Even if he continues to perform at the same level, his body could refuse to tolerate the pressure at any time. He was already coming off an injury in 2025. Yes, Simpson is not replacing him anytime soon, but it shows that Snead is preparing to move on. Interestingly, it wouldn’t just be Stafford.

McVay has always mentioned that he won’t be coaching for a long time. He would rather be on the desk calling games instead of plays. Yes, he is under contract after signing an extension earlier this year, but all signs point to him not being around once Stafford also hangs up his cleats. Simpson’s arrival only accelerates the entire idea. But there’s no hurry either. McVay ensured everyone knew it.

“Let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team.”

No one doubted that for a second as soon as Stafford announced his return to the team earlier in February. In fact, the debates Stafford’s agents have with the Rams every year are not about how much raise he deserves but if he could sign a longer contract. But McVay’s behavior tonight gave away his frustration with the decision. See for yourself:

Interestingly, when the team lost the Super Bowl in 2018, McVay wasn’t as down as he looked last night. It was eerily reminiscent of the time McVay looked like he was close to burning out and contemplated retirement.

He had very little to say about Ty Simpson. So little that it was his lack of enthusiasm and short answers that caught everyone off guard. The only time he did speak for at least ten seconds, this is what he had to clarify about Simpson’s status on the depth chart:

“He’s going to compete with [Stetson Bennett].”

Simpson, who does not have much experience as a starter under his belt, already knows he won’t be the team’s starter in Week 1. So does McVay. But he still holds more hope for the Alabama alum.

“You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback, we’ve got Stetson, we’ve talked about the importance of [former Rams back-up Jimmy Garoppolo], so to be able to add somebody that you can evaluate a body of work that he was asked to play the position and a lot of things that do translate: concepts, reading with his feet, some of the different things in the dropback and the play action game, the movement game,” the HC said of Simpson.

Snead, however, also holds a personal reason for bringing Simpson into the fold.

How Simpson landed in LA, ft. Les Snead

Simpson knew he didn’t have enough experience as a starter to enter the NFL. He waited for two years to get the QB1 role at Alabama. He became a star in the first few weeks of the season, as other quarterbacks in his class dimmed. But towards the end of the season, Simpson’s faults began showing, and he was also injured. In the Rose Bowl against Indiana, Simpson and Co. suffered an embarrassing 3-38 defeat. But Snead would rather reward the perseverance.

“He’s still becoming, but I would say the journey that he’s had, I think the thing you appreciate is persevering,” Snead said of Simpson. “The perseverance that you have when you go through, right, let’s call it hard things.”

But here’s the truth…

Snead is good friends with Ty Simpson’s dad. In fact, when Simpson was contemplating his NFL declaration, Snead talked him into going ahead. The team did not contact the quarterback before the draft, making it a head-turning decision. But what became clear was their interest in him.

The Rams were initially going to pick him up with their 30th overall pick, but sent it to another team. Instead, they used their 13th pick from Atlanta via a draft-day trade one year ago on Simpson. What’s even more surprising is that although he was the second-best quarterback in this draft class, he was miles away from the reigning National Champion and the first-overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Many even saw Simpson being picked in the second round.

Sean McVay did not shy away from taking that jab at Snead. When asked about it, McVay referred to the 13th selection as “basically an extra pick.”

Meanwhile, the coach continued believing in his current QB1.

“He’s gonna be able to play as long as he’s able to, whether that’s one, two more, who knows, he might be one of those guys that plays late into his 40s,” the head coach said. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

Stafford turned 38 in February, but he’s still playing at a high level. He just had an outstanding season, leading the NFL in touchdown passes and passing yards, and even winning his first MVP at 37. A 71.2 QBR that defies his age. He can very well be one of the rare exceptions in the league, but drafting Ty Simpson seems like the Rams are putting a full stop on Stafford’s career.

Simpson still finished with 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, with a 64.5% completion rate. It’s not quite on the level of Stafford, but who knows, this might turn out to be a great fit for the Rams in the future.

Matthew Stafford reacts positively to Ty Simpson’s selection

Jay Glazer reported on X that McVay personally told Stafford about the decision before the pick was made. It was also made clear to him that Simpson was being drafted to be his successor. Such news likely makes the end of one’s career look very real, but according to McVay, Stafford didn’t show much disdain for the new QB.

“He was great. He’s always a stud in every sense of the word”, McVay said.

Ty Simpson hit the jackpot by getting drafted to the Rams. Currently, only Bennett is his competition to be QB2. Meanwhile, he gets to learn from one of the best in the league, and he doesn’t even have to spend a lot of time before he takes the crown from Matthew Stafford.

“He’s one of the greatest of all time, quarterback-wise,” Simpson said. “And we watched his film all the time when I was at Bama. So the fact that I get to be in a room and soak up all that knowledge is something that I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

With time, will Sean McVay warm up towards his future QB1? Or would it truly be the end of an era?