Los Angeles Rams rookie Ty Simpson’s entry into the NFL has taken an intriguing turn, thanks to an unexpected message from Kelly Stafford, wife of the team’s star quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
The Rams, considered strong contenders for the Super Bowl as they approach the 2026 season, made waves during Thursday night’s NFL Draft by selecting Simpson, an Alabama quarterback many predicted would be drafted on Day 2. Chosen 13th overall, Simpson’s selection surprised many, given his limited experience with just 15 starts for the Crimson Tide.
Adding to the surprise, Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed less than enthusiastic about the pick during a press conference, emphasizing that Matthew Stafford remains the undisputed starting quarterback. McVay refrained from immediately naming Simpson as the primary backup, suggesting instead that the rookie would vie for the role against 28-year-old Stetson Bennett IV, who also lacks substantial NFL experience.
By Friday, McVay attempted to clarify his stance, expressing satisfaction with the draft decision and affirming his alignment with Rams general manager Les Snead.
However, just as the initial shock began to subside, Simpson was questioned about any interactions with Stafford, the 38-year-old Super Bowl champion and reigning NFL MVP.
“I have not,” Simpson admitted to reporters on Friday. “But Kelly actually reached out to me on Instagram. She welcomed me and said to contact her if I needed anything. I’m really excited to talk to Matthew because I’m eager to learn from him.”
What was already an awkward introduction to the NFL for Los Angeles Rams rookie Ty Simpson has only grown more so with an unexpected text message from Kelly Stafford
Matthew Stafford and wife Kelly have been together since attending the University of Georgia
Fans couldn’t help but laugh at the optics of a backup quarterback getting a direct line to the starter’s wife.
‘Have you heard from Stafford?’ one fan wrote in an imagined dialogue on X.
‘No, but I heard from his wife,’ they responded, adding: ‘lmao what a boss move.’
Another fan asked: ‘Could this be considered “sneaking into your DMs?”‘
Others had a similar question.
‘Did he just say that Stafford’s wife slid into his DMs and said hit her up?’
Kelly was not genuinely being accused of trying to have an affair with one of Stafford’s teammates, but fans were quick to remember when she dated his backup while at the University of Georgia.
Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed to know very little about Ty Simpson
As Kelly revealed on her podcast in 2022, she dated a second-string quarterback at Georgia while she and Stafford were in an off-and-on stage of their relationship.
‘I dated the backup to piss him off,’ she said. ‘Like, that was the type of situation we were in.’
Many were quick to recall this admission following Simpson’s revelation on Friday.
‘Kelly Stafford going after another one of Matt’s teammates,’ one fan joked. ‘SOMEONE STOP THIS WOMAN.’
The decision to take Simpson appeared to belong to Rams GM Les Snead (pictured)
As for Simpson, the 23-year-old backup hopes to learn as much as possible from Stafford in 2026 and, potentially, beyond.
‘Matthew Stafford throws the ball with conviction and doesn’t care what happens,’ Simpson said. ‘He might throw a pick the drive before, and he’s coming back and throwing the same type of ball.
‘That dude is an assassin. As a quarterback, that’s the type of mentality you have to have. Being able to learn from him and learn how he’s doing those things on a daily basis, I can’t wait to soak it all up.’
The decision to take Simpson may have belonged to Snead, who has a connection with the quarterback’s father.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Snead and Jason Simpson, Ty’s father and the head coach at the University of Tennessee-Martin, have been close for years. Snead even advised the Simpsons on Ty’s choice to declare for the draft, Breer wrote on X.
