David Pollack Sends Blunt Warning to Ty Simpson Doubters After NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams' decision to select Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft may have solved one of their biggest question marks.

By taking Simpson out of Alabama, the Rams secured a clear succession plan behind Matthew Stafford, who, at 38, is still playing at a high level, but isn't a long-term answer.

What initially looked like a surprising reach on draft night is already being reframed, thanks in part to one of the most respected voices in college football.

Speaking with Trey Wingo on Monday, David Pollack doubled down on the pick, calling it arguably the best possible landing spot for Simpson.

"Here's the thing: anybody who doubted Ty Simpson, that's fine. You can doubt him because he's only got 15 starts,” Pollack said. “He's going to sit and wait, and he's going to grow, which is an awesome thing to be able to sit and get better behind a guy who's one of the best to do it in the NFL."

"Everybody who said it wouldn't work and Ty Simpson was a bust, they're wrong now, every single one of them, because Sean McVay is not going to be wrong," he added. "That dude is too good of a coach with the way he dials up plays, with his brain, the way he ties plays together. He's so good."

"Is there a better spot to land for Ty Simpson than getting with Sean McVay? Because I would love to know what that is. That's as good as it gets for a young quarterback."

More news: 2026 NFL Draft Delivers Massive Ratings Win for ESPN

Coming out of Westview High School in Tennessee, Simpson was a bona fide five-star recruit and Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, throwing for 2,827 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior while adding 862 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores.

But his time at Alabama was different.

He sat behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe over his first three years with the program before finally earning the starting job in 2025.

And when he got his shot, he delivered, throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, completing 64.5% of his passes and leading the Tide to an 11-4 record and College Football Playoff appearance.

He earned second-team All-SEC honors, served as a team captain, and was a finalist for the Manning Award while also landing semifinalist recognition for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Davey O'Brien Award.

His 3,567 passing yards ranked fourth in single-season program history.

On paper, it fits the profile of a first-round quarterback.

But despite the production, skepticism never faded.

More news: Arch Manning Draws Concerning NFL Draft Prediction Ahead of 2026 Season

More news: Jalen Hurts Under the Microscope After Eagles Draft Makai Lemon, Eli Stowers

Simpson started just 15 games in college, an unusually small sample for a top quarterback prospect.

Scouts also questioned his ceiling, labeling him more "high-floor" than elite upside.

Others pointed to average physical tools and inconsistent deep-ball accuracy as potential limitations at the next level.

Even his final impression left room for doubt. He struggled in key moments, including an underwhelming Rose Bowl performance against Indiana (12-of-16 for just 67 yards) and a shaky SEC Championship showing against Georgia, where he completed just 48.7% for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

However, to Pollack’s point, Simpson didn't land with a rebuilding team desperate for immediate results.

He landed with Sean McVay.

Instead of being thrown into the fire, Simpson can sit behind a Super Bowl-winning veteran in Stafford, learn in one of the NFL's most quarterback-friendly systems, and develop under one of the league's premier offensive minds.

Historically, quarterbacks forced into early action, especially those with limited college reps, struggle.

Simpson avoids that trap entirely.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 5:42 PM.