@HaydenWinks He’s over the moon. Never seen anyone this ecstatic about their future franchise guy.
Getty
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have conducted the draft together for 10 seasons now, and the 2026 cycle yielded former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson at 13th overall.
Instant reactions were mixed, with some lauding the Rams for putting a succession plan in place at QB, and others noting Simpson will not help the Rams in 2026 if things go well.
The most potentially telling comments came from McVay several weeks before the draft.
GettyLos Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead on the field before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
McVay and Snead met with the Rams beat after making the Simpson pick, and there was a noticeable difference between this draft presser and those of years past.
“FWIW, of all the draft pressers with Snead and McVay, whether it involved a first-round pick or a second-round pick, this one lacked their trademark ebullience and sense of humor,” the LA Times’ Gary Klein posted on X.
Klein also captured the “mood” in a photo of the post-draft presser.
@HaydenWinks He’s over the moon. Never seen anyone this ecstatic about their future franchise guy.
Klein described the Rams selecting Simpson, at least where they did, as a “stunner” after the rookie QB had his time on the draft stage.
“I’ve covered a lot of first-round pick pressers across four beats,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted in reaction to Klein’s image. “This was by far the most muted I have seen a regime about the player they drafted.”
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Snead said he does not subscribe to the idea of the Rams being “one player” from reaching the Super Bowl and letting that drive their decision in the draft. He also cited Simpson’s mobility, ability to execute in the passing game, and the “perseverance” that he showed.
McVay made it clear, though, that the Rams are Stafford’s team. He added that drafting Simpson will have no bearing on their extension talks with the reigning Most Valuable Player.
He also cited many of Simpson’s translatable traits.
It was impossible to ignore what McVay had to say about Simpson before the draft amid the “mood” in the draft room and how he viewed the Rams’ options at 13th overall. McVay admitted to not doing “as much work on” Simpson, but expressed faith in Snead to select a good player.
“I like the way he [Simpson] handles himself. I like the way that you can evaluate a lot of the different things that he’s able to do that, maybe, translate,” McVay told Adams on “Up & Adams” in March. “There’s a lot of other guys that I like at that 13th pick. And whether it’s quarterbacks, whether it’s guys on offense or defense, Les and his group–and I have been able to spend a bunch of time with them and the coaches–we’re excited.”
The Rams were one win away from the Super Bowl, and Matthew Stafford was the MVP. Conventional wisdom suggested they would look to maximize Stafford’s twilight years.
Instead, they made a move that is clearly geared toward future seasons.
GettyTy Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rams fans were not overly enthused about the pick, with several noting the lack of value in selecting Simpson over a skill position player.
“All Ty Simpson has done is sit. Spent first 3 years in Bama on the bench behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. Started only 15 games in college,” Rams Bros. posted on X on April 23 in reaction to the pick, adding. “He’s gonna sit behind Stafford for as long as humanly possible. What a deal for him. Learns from a HoFer, maybe gets a ring, makes a 1st round picks salary for hopefully doing nothing.
“Worst part? Could’ve traded back.”
They cited potential options like Makai Lemon and Rueben Bain Jr. among “so many talented players” who “could’ve been added to this win now roster. Hate this pick today. And probably forever.”
“Downtown Rams” host Jake Oliver Ellenbogen echoed the disappointment in the Rams choosing Simpson over a skill option.
He was also willing to trust the process.
“This is my least favorite pick the #Rams have made in my lifetime,” Ellenbogen posted on X. “That said, I trust McVay and Snead will make it work with Ty Simpson. (Makai Lemon was always a smokescreen).”
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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