The Los Angeles Rams made perhaps the most surprising selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft when they took Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick. The decision appeared to catch everyone off guard, including Rams’ head coach Sean McVay.
In the immediate aftermath of this selection, McVay looked less than enthused about the team’s selection of Simpson, leading folks to wonder whether or not he and general manager Les Snead were actually on the same page when it came to this pick. And yet, while McVay didn’t appear too happy with the Rams’ selection of Simpson, it turns out he is fully on board with the team’s decision to bring him to town.
Sean McVay ‘Absolutely’ On Board with Rams’ Ty Simpson Selection
The Rams’ decision to draft Simpson is surprising for several different reasons. For starters, the team already has its starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford, in place. Yes, Stafford just turned 38 years old in February and is approaching the end of his career, but he also just won the MVP Award in 2025 and nearly led Los Angeles to the Super Bowl.
With that in mind, many folks figured L.A. would use its first-round pick to add a player who could come in and immediately contribute to this team in 2026. Instead, they selected Simpson, who won’t play in 2026 unless something happens to Stafford. Beyond the fact that Simpson is a draft-and-stash player right now, the Rams also took him much earlier than he was expected to come off the board.
Clips of McVay’s reaction to the Simpson pick quickly went viral on social media, as he appeared unhappy with the decision to bring him to town. And while McVay certainly looked displeased with the move, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that he is fully on board with Simpson’s arrival, with some sources simply suggesting he was trying to keep Stafford’s confidence intact.
“Multiple team sources said they believe McVay might have felt the need to downplay the pick in order to accentuate his confidence in Stafford,” Fowler reported. “‘He will be cautious and protective of Matt, and rightfully so,’ a team source said. ‘I think Sean is excited for the pick. The appreciation for the tape was the biggest thing.’ A source with direct knowledge of the situation put it more bluntly: McVay ‘absolutely’ was on board with the pick.”
Did the Rams Make a Mistake by Drafting Ty Simpson?
GettyThe Los Angeles Rams made Ty Simpson the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft
Simpson was widely believed to be a late first-round/early second-round pick, so seeing him come off the board was certainly jarring. While the Rams’ plan isn’t too hard to make out, they have taken a big risk by bringing Simpson to town. Not only have they failed to reinforce their current roster, but they have also suggested to Stafford that, if he struggles, his job could be up for grabs.
Stafford is obviously going to be Los Angeles’ quarterback in 2026, but we have recently seen a similar situation involving Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., and the Atlanta Falcons go up in flames. Could something similar happen to the Rams? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that L.A. is aiming to build a team that can continue winning even once Stafford eventually decides to call it a career.
Sean McVay’s True Feelings on Rams’ Ty Simpson Draft Decision Get Revealed