Sean McVay told @KyleBrandt and @PSchrags that he wasn’t angry Thursday night after his team used the 13th overall selection on Ty Simpson; he was trying to be respectful to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
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Matthew Stafford's reaction to the Los Angeles Rams drafting Ty Simpson seems clear.
Through all of the discourse about the Los Angeles Rams drafting Ty Simpson, reigning MVP Matthew Stafford has largely been mum on the situation, leading to speculation about how his feelings on having his successor in the room.
Rams general manager Les Snead, like head coach Sean McVay, believes it is a non-issue for the unquestioned starter heading into the 2026 season.
That has not quelled the discourse around the Rams’ new dynamic.
GettyThe Los Angeles Rams have questions to answer about Matthew Stafford.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio cited the Rams’ efforts to quell questions about dissension over the Simpson selection, pointing to it all being geared towards keeping Stafford appeased.
“It’s now obvious that the Rams have twisted themselves into an ever-changing Eldredge knot over the messaging associated with the stunning decision to use the 13th overall pick in the draft on quarterback Ty Simpson. And the overriding purpose of the fast-moving shell game has been the ongoing management of the relationship with the NFL’s reigning MVP — quarterback Matthew Stafford,” Florio wrote on April 28.
“Now that the truth (we think) has come out, it’s fair to wonder how Stafford will react.”
Sean McVay told @KyleBrandt and @PSchrags that he wasn’t angry Thursday night after his team used the 13th overall selection on Ty Simpson; he was trying to be respectful to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
Florio acknowledged McVay’s comments on Stafford taking the news as well as he could have hoped, but remained pessimistic about the situation being as copestetic as the Rams’ brain trust has tried to portray. LA’s selection was shocking, but Simpson revealed it was well-planned.
“The ever-moving goalposts suggest anxiety from the organization about Stafford’s potential reaction to banking that bonus pick,” Florio wrote. “And now that Simpson has given up the ghost as to the extent to which McVay was involved in scouting him, it’s time to get some popcorn and wait for Stafford’s next move.”
Florio noted the looming situation of Stafford’s contract and his $400-plus million in career earnings, while also floating the idea of the two sides exploring the trade market once again.
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the NFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Carolina Panthers.
McVay called Stafford a stud, saying the veteran would embrace Simpson, but also that the Rams remain his team.
Snead said that McVay handled the discussion with Stafford about Simpson.
“I know Sean sat down with Matthew, and Sean was the one that was communicating what our plans were if Ty were to fall to 13,” Snead said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on April 28. “By the time we chatted with Matthew, there was a–if you want to call it–good guesstimate that Ty would have a chance to fall to 13. I think at the end of the day, Matthew’s a very, very smart player. He comprehends, right, what’s what the plan is. He understands it. He’s a professional. That’s what he does. And at the end of the day, he’s the reigning MVP.”
Snead was clear that the Rams would welcome having Stafford around to win “three straight” MVPs, but his underlying message was clear. The Rams were planning for their future because their present is represented by an aging passer.
Snead said that they were able to “articulate” their plan to Stafford along the way, with his decision to return actually factoring positively into their decision to draft Simpson.
Snead said the Rams can still use future draft capital to improve the roster around Stafford.
GettyThe Los Angeles Rams planned for their future with their selection of Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Stafford’s MVP season has overshadowed concerns about his future following his back injury last offseason and years of retirement speculation. Not for the Rams.
“Here’s what doing the QB this year does for us, right: There’s an element that we are able to get a possible successor, come in, and hey, earn equity, be a backup. But what it does in the future is this is–hopefully, we’re picking late. Let’s call it that,” Snead said. “When you have a QB that, right, is in the twilight of his career, a lot of times you want to save some of those early picks, right, to ensure just in case Matthew decides, ‘I’ve had enough.’ It’s coming soon. Hey, it’s his timeline. He’s the MVP.”
“At the end of the day, when you’re not sure when, he might say it’s over, you’d like to ensure some of those other picks in case you need to react versus proacting for the next QB. We can now, maybe, use those picks, right, to add different players to chase special with Matthew, whether it’s through the draft or doing what we did with Trent McDuffie and adding a veteran.”
Whatever the reason, and however it came to be, the Rams have a plan for life after Stafford.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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