Rams Hid Ty Simpson Interest to Prevent Other Teams From Pouncing

The Los Angeles Rams were never talked about having an interest in Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.

Rams Hid Ty Simpson Interest to Prevent Other Teams From Pouncing

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Ty Simpson (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

In Short
  • The Los Angeles Rams strategically concealed their interest in quarterback Ty Simpson to avoid triggering competition from other teams.
  • Despite selecting Simpson at No. 13, the Rams had hoped to draft him later and acquire additional picks.
  • Sean McVay's cautious reaction to the pick was aimed at reassuring Matthew Stafford of his continued importance to the team.

Where Ty Simpson would end up was the most discussed topic before the 2026 NFL Draft. That explains why the Los Angeles Rams find themselves having to stave off narratives and questions about their decision to snag him at No. 13.

Since most mock drafts had the Alabama QB going late in the first or early in the second round, it was expected that teams interested in the signal caller would either wait or trade picks to move into a position to draft him.

Even if the Rams were in the mix, it was widely expected that they would first reinforce a squad that came very close to reaching Super Bowl LX before taking the plunge for their future QB.

With standout prospects like Makai Lemon still available, the best move would have been to draft him and then trade up to pick Simpson.

That is why it surprised everyone when the Los Angeles-based franchise decided to use its only first-round pick on the 23-year-old. But they did not do it out of haste.

[The Rams brass] knew that if it got out that McVay stamped this guy, that could have created more interest ahead of them… The Rams were very aware of this dynamic, as multiple sources pointed out, one of whom compared it to a two-star recruit getting an offer from Alabama or Ohio State, effectively making him a five-star.

Jeremy Fowler noted

The ESPN writer reiterated that the Rams were trying to keep their interest in Simpson on the down low. Otherwise, knowledge of Sean McVay‘s interest in a QB would force others to act and take a chance on the Tennessee native.

Rams would have preferred to draft Ty Simpson later in the draft

The article points to the fact that the Los Angeles Rams were heavily interested in Ty Simpson, even though the chatter coming from their camp did not mention him once.

Many felt that head coach Sean McVay was not happy with the pick. But Jeremy Fowler reiterated that the coach and his GM were already in sync. But they would have preferred to take the QB a bit later in the draft.

The Rams would have ideally liked to move back from 13, so they could get more picks and take Ty Simpson. But when their turn of the clock came, they didn’t get any calls… They were forced to… pick Simpson.

That means McVay was possibly disappointed at not being able to draft another impactful player. The Rams hoped to get a couple of later picks, which could have netted them both someone like Makai Lemon and Simpson.

In a draft that had trades floating around all day long, it was surprising that the team could not find someone to give them a few additional picks. But at least McVay’s body language was not a direct result of what transpired.

Sean McVay’s reaction to Ty Simpson was because of Matthew Stafford

Even though McVay tried to clarify his apparent disappointment, many still believe that he may not have been on board with the Rams selecting Ty Simpson that high.

Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay
Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay (Image via Around the NFL/X)

After all, the now-rookie’s father is friends with GM Les Snead, and that was thought to be a reason for this apparent disagreement. But it seems the 40-year-old had something else on his mind.

Multiple team sources said they believe McVay might have felt the need to downplay the pick in order to accentuate his confidence in Stafford. ‘He will be cautious and protective of Matt, and rightfully so.’

Jeremy Fowler noted

Curtailing his excitement to make it clear to the starting quarterback that he still believes in him was a huge move. Matthew Stafford has been on the verge of retiring, and Sean McVay does not want his excitement to fast-track that.

They need the reigning league MVP to stick around as long as possible and help them win another Super Bowl before eventually handing it over to Ty Simpson.

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