Ty Simpson just learned his first few years with the Los Angeles Rams will be a lot more unpredictable
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson to be the successor for MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. That succession plan has now been revealed to be a lot more interesting.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson to be the successor for MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. That succession plan has now been revealed to be a lot more interesting.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Stafford’s recent one-year, $55 million contract extension, which keeps him under contract through the 2027 season, “includes rolling guarantees” that trigger after the conclusion of the following two league years.
There’s also a virtual deadline now set for the 2028 offseason for both sides to work out a new deal if Stafford wants to keep playing.
How Matthew Stafford’s contract impacts Ty Simpson
L.A. did give Stafford a raise worthy of a reigning MVP, but the extension doesn’t lock in the 38-year old for beyond this year if the Rams choose to anoint Simpson at the beginning of next offseason.
“Rolling guarantees” aren’t actual guarantees for the future. They just lock in at a certain date, giving the club flexibility if plans change in a year’s time.
Matthew Stafford’s one-year, $55 million contract details
Stafford is signed through the 2027 season, but there’s more context to it than that.
- 2026: $40 million cash due.
- 2027: $45 million base salary, $5 million roster bonus become guaranteed on the third day of the 2027 league year.
- $2028: $100 million base salary in 2029 vests if Stafford is on the roster on the 10th day of the 2028 league year.
All this means Simpson is even more in the dark regarding when he’s taking over. It could happen next year if Stafford’s play falls off dramatically. It could happen in 2028 when the deal effectively expires. Stafford could maintain this level of play entering his age 40 season and Simpson’s time may still be delayed.
Simpson is going to sign a four-year rookie contract, which will keep him under Rams control through the 2029 season. L.A. can also exercise his fifth-year option during the 2029 offseason, and under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, can place two franchise tags on him.
The reality of being a first-round pick is you can spend up to seven years on the club that drafted you. Simpson is in the Rams’ long-term plans, but when he takes the keys from Stafford is completely dependent on how the latter performs this coming season.