When Ty Simpson steps into the Rams’ facility on Friday, he can expect some friendly greetings and handshakes.
The Alabama quarterback mentioned he hadn’t interacted with coach Sean McVay or general manager Les Snead prior to being chosen as the unexpected No. 13 pick on Thursday evening.
This revelation added to the awkwardness surrounding the selection. McVay didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about drafting a backup quarterback who likely won’t play a significant role until 2026, especially with the team’s current focus on winning.
Simpson described his pre-draft experience with the Rams as, well, quite brief. “I met some scouts back at Alabama, but that was pretty much it. They spoke with my agent, but it wasn’t a major deal,” he shared.
He also expressed anticipation about meeting Snead and getting acquainted with the coach.
While he’s not the first player to be drafted without extensive dialogue with a team’s management beforehand, it feels a bit unusual. Given the quarterback position’s importance, one might think the Rams would invest more time in understanding a potential future star.
In contrast, the Giants sought out top quarterback prospects like Jaden Daniels and Caleb Williams leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, though they ultimately didn’t land the top pick.
The Rams, on the other hand, seem to have relied heavily on their scouts and what they observed on tape, opting for a player whom some analysts viewed differently. While some had Simpson pegged as a first-round talent, others speculated whether the Jets could snag him with one of their first-round picks in the early second round.
Snead noted that he had a conversation with Simpson’s father, Jason, who coaches at UT Martin, prior to the draft.
Simpson admitted he had no clear indication of the Rams’ interest but acknowledged he was approached by scouts and had discussions about his background and journey, which made him proud to be entering the team.
Intriguingly, there was a noticeable lack of engagement from McVay during post-selection discussions, where his body language and comments seemed somewhat hesitant.
The Super Bowl-winning coach remarked previously to Kay Adams, “He probably doesn’t have as much work on him as you do,” while still praising Simpson’s attitude.
McVay was friendly but got straight to the point, and speculation arose that he might have preferred a prospect who could contribute immediately, rather than focusing on long-term potential.
“There were many players we liked,” McVay stated, emphasizing that ultimately, it was about evaluating a body of work. “I want to be clear: this is Matthew’s team.”
He also talked about the importance of having backup quarterbacks, mentioning Stetson Bennett, and expressing excitement about working with Simpson, highlighting how some things translate conceptually as they prepare for the upcoming games.
