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Stafford Accepts Simpson Pick While Nacua Expresses Gratitude After Lawsuit

The Rams quarterback said coach Sean McVay called him personally before the team selected Alabama's Ty Simpson in the draft last month.

All-Pro Reels -- from the Washington Football Team vs. Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan, November 15th, 2020 (All-Pro Reels Photography)
All-Pro Reels -- from the Washington Football Tea…      Matthew Stafford    All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published May 29, 2026 at 1:35 AM PDT

Two Los Angeles Rams players addressed off-field situations Thursday, with quarterback Matthew Stafford speaking about the team's decision to draft his eventual replacement and receiver Puka Nacua commenting on a civil lawsuit filed against him earlier this year.

Stafford said he appreciated the personal call from head coach Sean McVay before the Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson, a former Alabama standout, in last month's draft. Stafford said he understands why the team made the pick, according to ESPN.

Nacua, for his part, addressed the lawsuit directly. He said he is "grateful for the support" from the Rams organization following the civil lawsuit, which was filed in March. He did not elaborate further on the details of the case.

The two statements came as the Rams prepared for the upcoming season with significant questions surrounding both the quarterback room and the status of key offensive players.

Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford      Matthew Stafford    Marianne O'Leary / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)