'Volatile Situation,' McVay's Viral Video on Ty Simpson Pick Revealed in New Rams Draft Rumors

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has shed more light on the reason for his demeanor during a press conference after the team selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft last month.

Speaking Thursday on PFT Live, NBC Sports' Chris Simms said he recently spent some time with McVay, and he shared what McVay told him about the situation:

"What he did tell me is 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.

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

When McVay and Rams general manager Les Snead spoke to the media about the decision to draft Simpson, McVay got people talking because of his body language and uncharacteristically short answers:

McVay spoke to the media again one day later, and he made it clear that his behavior had nothing to do with not liking the selection of Simpson.

The 40-year-old coach told reporters he and Snead "couldn't be in more lockstep in every decision that we make."

McVay also suggested that he made an effort to be subdued during the press conference out of respect for incumbent starting quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

"And so the demeanor would have been stoic by nature because you are excited, but by no means ... it is Matthew's football team," McVay said. "Excited to be able to add Ty. What a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew, to be able to come into this atmosphere and environment.

"But whenever that time comes for him to get an opportunity to be Matthew's successor will be on Matthew's terms. And I think that's really what the important thing was. And I didn't want that to ever be misunderstood while not minimizing the excitement for Ty [and] the buy-in."

Ty Simpson Interview

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Despite already having a star quarterback in Stafford, the Rams were in a unique position to secure Simpson and prepare for life after Stafford, who is 38 years old.

The Rams had two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft. They traded one of them for immediate help in the form of cornerback Trent McDuffie and used the other on the future with Simpson.

L.A. figures to be among the top contenders in the NFC once again this season after reaching the NFC Championship Game last season, and if Simpson develops behind Stafford as hoped, the window of contention could be extended for many years to come.