Dan Orlovsky was blasted in March after his bold Ty Simpson take, but the rookie’s NFL debut may have critics eating humble pie.The ESPN star claimed Simpson was the best quarterback in the class, ahead of soon-to-be No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.Simpson ranges from the worst draft pick ever to future Hall of Famer depending on who you askGettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was also a believer in the former Alabama star and swooped with the No. 13 pick, leading to another barrage of criticism.Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to kick off preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs and Orlovsky’s ESPN colleague Chase Daniel called for a collective apology.“I think some of us owe Dan O an apology,” he said. “Not me, personally, ‘cos I thought Ty Simpson was a really good quarterback.“The dude played unbelievable today… He played exactly what you want to do at quarterback. Get the ball to people in space, let your receivers do the work.”View Tweet: https://x.com/danorlovsky7?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwDaniel spent 13 years in the NFL, and thinks Simpson has already adapted to playing under center despite just one season as a starter in college.McVay took plenty of flak after clips of his first-round selection struggling in practice went viral and may be next in line for an apology.“This Sean McVay offense is obviously ran by Matthew Stafford. Like, he’s not going anywhere,” Daniel added. “But I just think that the pick’s the right pick. “A first-round pick on a guy that doesn’t have to play right away but plays the quarterback position really, really well and exactly how Sean McVay wants. “You can already see some Matthew Stafford-type tendencies and he’s only gonna get better at it. So a lot of you guys owe Dan an Apology.”McVay was happy with what he saw of Simpson, who dominated touches ahead of Stetson Bennett. Stafford was held out.The Rams rookie showed signs he could thrive in McVay’s systemGettyOrlovsky is a believer and may win some more convertsGetty“I thought he took what the defense gave him,” said the coach. “I thought he read the plays out, read with his feet. “I thought he did a really good job overall. I thought he kept the ball in play. That’s the biggest thing, is keeping the ball in play.”Ty Simpson and Fernando Mencoza start strongSimpson became the first player with 190 passing yards and two touchdown passes in a preseason debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Mendoza also looked accomplished on debut as he matched another of the former No. 1 pick’s feats.Simpson said it felt like playing “backyard” football and isn’t focused on anybody else as he fights Bennett for the backup role.“I really don’t get into that, honestly,” he said. “I really just try to be the best version of myself I can be and compete with myself. A lot of the time, people get caught up in, ‘Who is better than who?’ And, ‘Who is going to get this spot?’“But at the end of the day, I’m just trying to prepare me for the future and try to stack days and [make] progress.”NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.SIGN UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.