The Rams seemed to have a stronger interest in Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson than initially indicated.
Indications of their enthusiasm were visible. Just last month, only the Southeastern area scouts attended Simpson’s pro day in Tuscaloosa.
Billy Johnson is undoubtedly skilled in his role, demonstrated by the continuous influx of talent into the Rams’ organization.
However, unlike the Raiders, who brought many executives and coaches to Fernando Mendoza’s pro day in Indiana, the Rams had a much quieter presence for Simpson.
This seemed to be a strategic move, perhaps to downplay their intentions regarding the Crimson Tide quarterback—not necessarily for the fans but to keep a few other teams guessing.
The reputation of Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay is quite high in the NFL. If they eye a potential prospect, especially a quarterback, it’s likely that other teams will too.
The Jets and Cardinals are examples that come to mind. Both teams had picks at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, with the idea that Simpson could be drafted at the end of the first round or early in the second.
The Rams seemed to pursue Simpson quietly, worried that teams like these might catch wind of their interest and snag him in the draft before they picked at No. 13.
This included a recently acknowledged secret meeting between Simpson and McVay, which took place in the days leading up to the draft. They spent several hours discussing football at a high level, according to Snead, who mentioned it on The Pat McAfee Show.
Interestingly, right after being drafted in the first round, Simpson downplayed his past interactions with the Rams.
“Honestly, it was pretty brief,” Simpson stated at that time. “I met with some scouts in Alabama, but that was about it. They spoke to my agent, but it wasn’t a big deal.”
However, Simpson later changed his tune on ESPN’s “Amber & Ian,” admitting that the connection was more significant than many realized and that he tried to keep things private.
“We aimed to keep this as discreet as possible,” he shared. “We understood their interest, but they preferred to keep it under wraps so it wouldn’t leak.” He also mentioned secret meetings with McVay, emphasizing his effort to follow the guidance given to him without revealing too much.
Snead noted that Simpson adhered to the plan well.
The nature of the discussion with McVay was particularly noteworthy, especially given McVay’s reserved demeanor during post-draft media sessions, which led some to believe he wasn’t onboard with selecting a player who might not contribute until 2028.
But that’s far from the case. Those familiar with McVay and Snead’s collaborative decision-making know that Snead wouldn’t pick Simpson—or anyone else—without McVay’s complete agreement.
It turns out McVay and Simpson had established a rapport before the draft. No wonder the son of a college football coach connected so easily with McVay during their meeting.
“It was all about football, and it felt like being a kid in a candy store,” Simpson reflected. “We were just exchanging ideas, and you could see his passion for the game and his love for the quarterback position.”
“I truly appreciate and enjoy that position, so being with him and getting a glimpse of his coaching style, if I’m fortunate to be there, was just about the best situation I could ask for.”
