Ty Simpson is getting ready for his first taste of an NFL game this Saturday, even if it is only a preseason matchup. The Los Angeles Rams rookie will take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs as Stetson Bennett’s backup, giving the coaching staff a look at what he can do in a game setting.
It’s a big day for the first-round pick, who started just 15 games at Alabama in his college career. Matthew Stafford has been in Simpson’s shoes as a former first-round pick himself, and having seen it all in his 18 years in the league, Stafford is the perfect person to mentor Simpson.
During his press conference on Thursday, Simpson shared one of the best pieces of advice he’s gotten from Stafford.
“Yeah, to just be yourself,” he said. “One of the best things Matthew said to me is, ‘Don't try to be somebody else, just do it your way.’ And a lot of times people get caught up in the mess of trying to do like somebody else, trying to be like whoever, but it is more about finding who you are and how things work and how tick.”
Simpson talked to Stafford on Thursday morning, two days before kickoff in the preseason opener. Stafford asked him how he feels about his big NFL debut coming up, and told him to “just go let it rip.”
That should induce some confidence in Simpson, especially hearing it from the reigning MVP and a likely future Hall of Famer.
“I've gotten so much advice from so many different guys here,” Simpson said. “It is such a good group. I probably bother Matthew a lot in the type of ways where he probably thinks I'm annoying. Sometimes I'm like, ‘Maybe it this can wait until tomorrow. But we actually talked this morning. He asked me, ‘How do you feel about the game?’ I told him I was excited. It's a great opportunity for me to play. The best advice that he gave me was, ‘Just go let it rip. It's nothing that you haven't done before. Just go out there and play with the rules, see the play clock, understand what your problems are and go let it rip.’”
During training camp, Simpson told Taylor Lewan that he’s learned more from Stafford in the last four months than he did in four years at Alabama, which shows the level of value Stafford provides the quarterback room.
Bennett has helped the rookie, too, which Simpson is appreciative of.
“I appreciate everything Matthew has done for me, and Stetson, as well,” he said. “Those guys have been nothing but great role models for me and great mentors in the quarterback room. Not only are we going to get better, but it is a growth moment where we all come together and help the team.”
Simpson couldn’t have landed in a better spot than he did with the Rams. Sean McVay is the perfect person to be coached by, and Stafford has years of wisdom that few other quarterbacks can provide.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Ty Simpson shares the best advice he's gotten from Matthew Stafford