Sean McVay did not sound like a head coach ecstatic about his team’s draft choices after Day 1 of the 2026 NFL draft.
The Los Angeles Rams made the surprise move of the draft on Thursday with their selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. The Rams, of course, employ reigning MVP Matthew Stafford as the team’s starting QB.
McVay addressed the media next to Rams GM Les Snead after Simpson’s name was called. The Super Bowl-winning coach was uncharacteristically muted about Simpson and appeared to be shooting daggers at Snead throughout the press conference.
Sean McVay couldn’t be more pumped about drafting Ty Simpson pic.twitter.com/lDnfC99JwT
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 24, 2026
Sean McVay after drafting Verse vs Simpson pic.twitter.com/EDxIJoHvwm
— kev mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) April 24, 2026
Fans and media members alike couldn’t help but feel McVay’s body language and snarky answers conveyed that he was not on board with the pick. McVay has maintained a close, personal relationship with Stafford throughout their five seasons together in Los Angeles.
Sean McVay did not want Ty Simpson. Oh my goodness. Please watch that Rams presser.
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) April 24, 2026
You could tell that McVay looked dead inside after Snead drafted Ty Simpson. pic.twitter.com/EVvbUfxgEE
— Matthew (@compSciMatt) April 24, 2026
I just watched the entire Rams presser, and I can't say Sean McVay was showing a ton of excitement about the Ty Simpson selection. Said he will compete with Stetson Bennett for the QB2 job. Not a bunch of smiles.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 24, 2026
Les Snead was way more fired up.
I’ve covered a lot of first-round pick pressers across four beats. This was by far the most muted I have seen a regime about the player they drafted. https://t.co/g0W27EjINE
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) April 24, 2026
McVay reportedly informed Stafford earlier in the day that the Rams were planning to draft Simpson specifically to prepare for life after Stafford. But just because McVay was the messenger of the news doesn’t mean that he agreed with the call to draft his star QB’s replacement.
