Ty Simpson breaks silence on ‘grumpy’ Sean McVay as truth behind NFL Draft revealed

The 2026 NFL Draft was full of surprises, and one of the biggest came in the first round.

Fernando Mendoza was always going to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, but there were uncertainties around consensus No.2 quarterback in the draft, Ty Simpson.

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Then it came. The Los Angeles Rams used the 13th overall pick on the Alabama quarterback, despite some believing that he was a Day Two selection.

The most surprising thing about the selection, however, was Rams head coach Sean McVay’s reaction.

Eagle-eyed viewers took particular notice of McVay’s body language during his post-draft press conference. He looked generally disinterested and sported a stern look while giving short responses to questions.

On Pro Football Talk, NFL Insider Chris Simms revealed that McVay’s sour demeanor wasn’t because of the Simpson pick, but it was because of an argument that took place before the selection was made.

“The reason he in the press conference was pissed off had neither to do with him acting or the pick but had to do with some sort of volatile situation that happened before they went out there,” Simms said, via NBC Sports.

“There was some little argument about something. He assured me it was nothing like major, but he was a little peed off right there at that moment.

“That’s what he told me, and I don’t think he would have any problem with me sharing that.”

According to Simms, McVay then revealed that he was ‘grumpy’ during the selection, but that it wasn’t related to the selection of Simpson.

The pick of Simpson comes with a clear Matthew Stafford succession plan in mind.

Stafford is 38-years-old and ageing like a fine-wine after an MVP season, but there will be a day in the not too distant future when he decided to call it a career.

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When that day comes, it could be Simpson’s job to lose, with only Stetson Bennett and Matthew Caldwell currently joining him in the Rams QB room, neither of which are considered threats.

Simpson breaks silence on McVay’s sour draft reaction

It’s difficult to imagine that Simpson didn’t catch wind of the incident involving McVay. After all, it was one of the most talked about moments of the draft.

Simpson is now in Los Angeles as the Rams continue their voluntary offseason workout program in Woodland Hills.

This provided the opportunity for The Los Angeles Times’ Gary Klein to ask Simpson where he had seen clips or watched the press conference.

“I didn’t really see it,” Simpson told Klein.

“I know one thing though, I know coach McVay has been in contact and he’s super fired up. And I’m super excited.

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“I know that I couldn’t have asked for a better situation, not only with the best player in the league in front of me, but the best coach in the league at the helm.”

Simpson is exactly where he wants to be, waiting in the wings and learning from the current MVP.

Time will tell if the Rams’ gamble at 13 paid off.

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