Sean McVay Clarifies Reaction to Ty Simpson Pick, Didn’t Want to Upset Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams’ selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick was quite possibly the biggest shock in the 2026 NFL Draft. Los Angeles seemed poised to select a receiving weapon to benefit quarterback Matthew Stafford this season, but they found a signal-caller for the future. 

Initially, it didn’t seem like the Simpson pick appeared to be a satisfying choice for head coach Sean McVay. Following Day 1 of the NFL Draft, McVay’s initial presser was brief, sharing that his phone call between him and Simpson in the Draft Room “will be kept between us,” and that Simpson “would compete” with backup quarterback Stetson Bennett III. 

As McVay’s responses were relatively curt, others also read into his body language when he discussed the selection of Simpson. McVay didn’t appear to crack a smile or anything of that nature when he was asked about the pick. 

But McVay cleared the air on Friday, telling reporters that he was thrilled with the addition of Simpson and wasn’t upset with Rams general manager Les Snead.

“We couldn’t be in more lockstep with every decision that we make. We’re excited about it. There are different things that you always want to be mindful of and how things come off,” McVay said at the Rams’ press conference at the end of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. “We couldn’t be more excited about us continuing to lead together. Every decision that we make is collective and collaborative. For any of the questions based on my demeanor and disposition last night, I did want to get that out of the way.”

In an interview with ESPN on Saturday, McVay gave even more clarification on why he gave the reaction he did to the Simpson pick. He said that he didn’t want to say or do anything that could have upset Stafford.

“I would’ve been stoic by nature, anyway, just based on the respect for Matthew because it’s a unique situation,” McVay said. “You get a chance to take a player that you like at a really important position, but you don’t want to be minimized or misunderstood in terms of what this means and our investment and commitment to Matthew as long as he wants to continue to play. So, we’re kind of teetering that line. Clearly, I came off a little grumpier than normal.”

McVay also used the grumpy line when he spoke with reporters on Friday. However, he wouldn’t say what was exactly making him grumpy. 

“Well, there were other things that had nothing to do with that, which that’s normal life,” McVay said. “The main thing was … I couldn’t be more excited about being able to add him, but also understanding how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be and to the way things can be interpreted. The demeanor would’ve been stoic by nature because you are excited, but by no means — it is Matthew’s football team.

“I’m excited to be able to add Ty. What a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew and to be able to come into this atmosphere and environment. Whenever that time comes for him to get an opportunity to be Matthew’s successor will be on Matthew’s terms. I think that’s really what the important thing was. I didn’t want that to ever be misunderstood while not minimizing the excitement for Ty and the buy-in. Les and his group really liked him.”

Simpson traveled to Los Angeles on Friday following his selection by the Rams, and had only good things to say about his future head coach. 

“He’s got the juice,” Simpson said of McVay at the Rams’ temporary draft headquarters near SoFi Stadium. “That dude is a guy who’s a fireball. He loves ball.”

The Rams ended the season as NFC West runners‑up and advanced all the way to the NFC Championship before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks. With Stafford claiming this year’s NFL MVP and a loaded roster built from the offseason, the Rams could be in a position to make a Super Bowl run.