Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay cleared the air on the questions regarding his demeanor when discussing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson being drafted.
The Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL world when they took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick. The pick appeared to have upset head coach Sean McVay, who appeared to be tense and combative during the team's first-round presser.
To kick off the presser for Day 2, McVay started things off by addressing the issue, indicating that he was perhaps being respectful more so to Matthew Stafford, who clearly saw his "replacement" taken in the first round.
"Very excited about last night, very excited about today and, uh, couldn't be more excited about us continuing to lead together. But every decision that we make is collective and collaborative. And so, for any of the questions or misunderstandings just based on my demeanor or disposition last night, I did want to get that out of the way. This is my buddy right here," McVay said while grabbing the shoulder of general manager Les Snead.
Media ran away with the idea that Snead chose to draft Simpson without either the approval or McVay knowing the plan. That was not the case, according to the Rams head coach.
McVay also indicated in the first press conference and the second that this is Stafford's team. The need to state that likely points to past situations such as when the Green Bay Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers.
The addition of Simpson was to "address the backup quarterback position," according to McVay, but he also indicated what most people already know. Stafford will be under center for 2026 and quite possibly beyond that. Until he steps away, Simpson is unlikely to start.
"You know, I couldn't be more excited about being able to add him, but also understanding of how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be to just the way things can be interpreted. And so, uh, the demeanor would have been, you know, stoic by nature because you are excited, but by no means, you know, it is Matthew's football team. Excited to be able to add Ty," McVay said.
Naturally, a quarterback pick would be cause for celebration, but there is plenty of drama regarding the Rams having taken Simpson in the first round, and the presumption that he would somehow push Stafford out.
Stafford is coming of an MVP season, and played his best seaon in 2025. Reports also have come in and the Rams and the quarterback are closing in on a deal that will lock him in beyond 2026.
The Rams were arguably one or two plays away from playing in the Super Bowl, and they have their core roster still in place to make another deep run in 2026. Should Los Angeles win the big game next season, Stafford may ride off into the sunset.
Then again, if he plays just as well as he did in 2025, Stafford might also want to keep playing until his body tells him time is up. Simpson could be the perceived successor, but he will not start anytime soon.
McVay may or may not have needed to say that, but the perceived notion of drafting a first-round quarterback is they will become the starter sooner rather than later. It would be highly unlikely that happens, though, simply with how Stafford has been playing.
Either way, the Rams now have their quarterback of the future, even if the pick was believed to be a bit too early.