In terms of giving him the best opportunity to develop and achieve long-term success in the NFL, there wasn't a better spot for Alabama QB Ty Simpson to land than with the Rams.
In Los Angeles, Simpson will be able to sit back and learn behind reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford with no pressure to get on the field for meaningful snaps in 2026, or maybe even 2027. Simpson is now the future of the Rams' franchise, but he doesn't have to worry about the now.
One of the major selling points of being in Los Angeles for Simpson is the tutelage of Rams head coach Sean McVay, a QB whisperer who runs a system that should be a perfect fit for Simpson's skillset.
But in the aftermath of Simpson's selection at No. 13 overall on Thursday night, it was fair to question whether McVay was on board with the decision made by the Rams, or if General Manager Les Snead made the call in stark contrast to his head coach.
The joint press conference held by Snead and McVay after the selection of Simpson paints a different picture than the popular narrative in the lead-up. McVay gave stoic answers and looked generally displeased with the situation, causing many to question whether this was an example of the GM overriding the head coach completely.
Ty Simpson says he’s never talked to Sean McVay. Meanwhile — McVay just conducted a strangely unexcited presser after taking a QB of the future.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) April 24, 2026
No shot McVay made that pick. pic.twitter.com/8aKlmQXOC8
Sean McVay may not have been the biggest fan of the Rams' selection of Ty Simpson
McVay doesn't dislike Simpson. He raved about the Alabama quarterback in an interview with Kay Adams in the weeks leading up to the draft.
If McVay isn't 100% sold on the decision, it's likely because he hoped Los Angeles would use a premium draft choice on a player who could help take them over the top in their pursuit of a Super Bowl next year. That player likely won't be Simpson, barring injury.
The Rams have a closing window with Stafford, and as the head coach, McVay surely wants to maximize it. Stafford is still playing at an elite level, but he's not getting any younger. It's hard to blame the Rams for planning for the future with a higher draft pick than they normally have.
It's easy to forget that the Rams did land a difference-maker on next season's team via the NFL Draft; it just happened a couple of months ago. Los Angeles traded the 29th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie.
The Rams likely wouldn't have been in a position to draft a quarterback of Simpson's caliber again during this era. They decided to strike when they had the chance, to not leave the future beyond the next season or two up in the air.
McVay might not have been thrilled in the immediate aftermath of the pick, or perhaps everyone is just reading too much into it. That wouldn't exactly be shocking.
But Simpson is a Ram, whether McVay, or anyone, likes it or not. And when he, and the rest of the locker room, see the work ethic that Simpson is going to bring, they won't be able to help but hop on the bandwagon.
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