Ty Simpson, Rams Agree To Deal After Brief Delay. Why It Matters

There will be no contract holdouts (or hold-ins) from rookie first-round picks this year.

The Los Angeles Rams and No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson agreed to terms on the quarterback's rookie deal on Saturday, July 25, according to NFL Media and ESPN insider Ian Rapoport. Simpson is signing a four-year, $25.4 million contract that is fully guaranteed and will include a fifth-year option.

All of the Rams' players were due to report to training camp on July 25, the day Simpson agreed to terms on his contract.

Simpson was the last first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie deal, according to Rapoport. He was also the last of the top four quarterbacks selected in the class to sign.

Simpson's signing on Saturday means he finally joins the Cardinals' Carson Beck, Raiders' Fernando Mendoza and Steelers' Drew Allar, the three of whom signed – in that order – earlier in the week.

ROOKIE QB CONTRACTS: Carson Beck first among top 4 QBs drafted to sign rookie deal

The Rams' agreement on contract terms with Simpson comes one year to the day after reports that the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with 2025 first-rounder Shemar Stewart. The edge rusher from Texas A&M had been holding in – showing up but refusing to practice – through all of Cincinnati's mandatory workouts and publicly criticizing the team last year until reportedly agreeing to terms on July 25, 2025. The team announced he signed his deal on July 26.

In contrast, Simpson had not been holding in from Rams workouts this year. The rookie quarterback and agent representation followed suit with other top-drafted quarterbacks this year. All four had remained unsigned over unresolved contract terms until Beck signed his deal on Wednesday, July 22, but all four have since signed now that Simpson has agreed to terms.

FERNANDO MENDOZA: Top pick reports to Raiders camp, signs contract

Ty Simpson contract details

Here's what to know about Simpson's rookie deal:

• Term: Four years (with fifth-year team option)
• Total value: $25.4 million
• Average annual value: $6.35 million
• Guaranteed money: $25.4 million

As with all other rookie contracts, Simpson's deal was predetermined and matches the slot value of where he was picked. It's also fully guaranteed like other rookie deals, and as a first-round pick, his deal includes a fifth-year option.

Part of Simpson's deal is a $14.94 million signing bonus, according to NFL Media and ESPN insider Ian Rapoport.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ty Simpson, Rams agree to deal after brief delay. Why it matters