Why fans think Sean McVay isn't happy about Rams’ Ty Simpson pick after tense press conference originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The future of the Los Angeles Rams' franchise was altered Thursday night when they took a quarterback in the first round of the draft for the first time since 2016.
L.A. made a big swing at No. 13, taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who is expected to become the squad's long-term passer after it inevitably moves on from 38-year-old Matthew Stafford in the next few years.
However, NFL fans were increasingly convinced the face of the Rams' current era, head coach Sean McVay, wasn't sold on the Simpson pick. In the coach's post-first-round press conference, he was seen with a stern look and gave short responses — offering little optimism that Simpson was his top choice at No. 13.
Here's a look at McVay's press conference following the Rams' Simpson pick.
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For the most part, it wasn't McVay answering the questions from reporters about the Rams' lone first-round draft pick on Thursday after trading No. 29 to land All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie earlier this offseason.
General manager Les Snead explained the pick to media, sounding convinced that Simpson can be a long-term franchise quarterback in L.A. Snead also explained the Rams' process in pursuing Simpson throughout the offseason.
"Someone who can execute a passing offense, has mobility," Snead said of Simpson.
However, it wasn't Snead's words that caught NFL fans' eye — it was the silence of McVay, who sat quietly and didn't exactly look thrilled while the GM spoke.
Even when McVay was specifically asked about Simpson, he kept his answers brief.
"He's gonna compete with Stetson [Bennett]," McVay said about Simpson becoming QB2 behind Stafford.
He’s over the moon. Never seen anyone this ecstatic about their future franchise guy. pic.twitter.com/KWOcHIxcfk
MORE: What Ty Simpson pick means for Matthew Stafford, Rams moving forward
Despite being a team that won a Super Bowl five years ago, has continued contending in the NFC since, and expects to be in title contention again in 2026, the Rams have faced consistent long-term questions about their future.
Specifically, Stafford's future has loomed over the franchise for a few years — he's flirted with exits from Los Angeles, including through contract disputes, but just had a career year at age 37. For now, the Rams don't need a quarterback. But in a few years, or perhaps even by this time next year, they will.
The goal of the Simpson pick was to get ahead of that problem before it truly arises, with Simpson able to learn behind an all-time great in the near term while developing to someday become the starter in Los Angeles. The Rams were clearly enamored with Simpson's skill set — they had been connected to him at pick No. 29 before trading it to the Chiefs, but then used No. 13 on Simpson anyway.
Stafford isn't the only long-term question facing the Rams. McVay has also been open about not wanting to remain a coach for years and years to come, unlike some other NFL head coaches. Reports have indicated that, at one point or another, he may abruptly step away from coaching, perhaps to pursue a media role.
For the first time in a while, on Thursday, the Rams made a massive decision that was more focused on the future than the present. Whether McVay will be around to see the days when Simpson gets a crack at the QB1 role, however, remains to be seen.
MORE: Full look at Rams' QB room after Ty Simpson selection