Sean McVay Sets Record Straight Amid Matthew Stafford, Ty Simpson Situation

Sean McVay did not mince words about Matthew Stafford or the Los Angeles Rams decision to draft Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick of the 2026 draft.

McVay also stood on his stance about his relationship with Rams general manager Les Snead.

Still, the Rams’ draft skewed toward future seasons in an offseason where Snead made it clear they would be aggressive to maximize the twilight years of Matthew Stafford’s career, and it all began with the selection of Simpson in Round 1.

Sean McVay Gets Honest About Matthew Stafford

GettyMatthew Stafford’s future with the Los Angeles Rams is up to him.

McVay reiterated the Rams’ “commitment” to Stafford, saying that it would be the case for “as long as he wants to continue to play.” McVay does expect Simpson to absorb as much as he can from Stafford, the reigning Most Valuable Player.

Stafford and Simpson had not spoken at last check, but the rookie said that Kelly Stafford reached out to him to extend a welcoming and helping hand.

McVay also acknowledged Stafford’s absence due to injury last offseason.

“He couldn’t be more of a stud,” McVay said during ESPN’s draft broadcast on April 25. “He responded exactly the way I would want to. He’s going to put his arm around this guy. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with, if I was him–And he was great. He couldn’t have been more of a stud about it. But the thought process, when you explain it to him, he’s like, ‘Hey, understand it.’ He’s earned the right to be year-to-year.

“If he tells me he wants to play three more years, nobody’d be more excited about that than me. But because we are year-to-year, he doesn’t owe us anything. And if he decides after next year, he wants to ride off into the sunset or wants to continue to play, those are things that we would welcome with open arms. But we do need to be able to have some planning in place.”

McVay echoed Snead in saying the Rams do not subscribe to being “one player away” or a player who “guarantees” success, “But it doesn’t quite work like that,” regarding taking Simpson over a skill position player who might contribute sooner.

Rams Not Worried About Ty Simpson’s Inexperience

GettyThe Los Angeles Rams are confident in what they saw from Ty Simpson at Alabama.

McVay downplayed concerns over Simpson’s lack of starting experience in college. He said they “liked his body of work,” calling Simpson a “great kid” and a “football junkie.”

“There was a collective buying and appreciation for the body of work for the history of what this guy’s gone through. I know there’s a lot made about the 15 starts, but what I do feel good about is, in those 15 starts, you’re asking him to play quarterback, where you’re getting through progressions, you’re reading with your feet. You’re activating a lot of things that you would be asked to do in an NFL system,” McVay said of Simpson.

“You are getting more experience to play the way we would ask you to play in those 15 games. And I like that he stayed. In this day and age, every story is a little bit different. But he didn’t do it the easy way; he went the hard route.”

McVay pointed to the “high-pressure situation” Simpson came from at Alabama.

“I watched him just dig in and play his best in some of the hardest moments, and that’s what I liked about him,” McVay said. “One of the best things about Matthew Stafford is the mental toughness, and I think this guy’s got similar mental toughness in resolve, because if you don’t, it’s gonna be a tough deal in this league.”

If Simpson comes close to producing like Stafford, the Rams’ decision to draft him will look more than prudent.

Rams Planning for Future

GettySean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams took advantage of a “unique” situation.

With Stafford on board, although surely motivated to show he still has plenty left as the two sides also work out a contract extension, McVay and Snead worked in “lock-step” on Simpson.

“The key thing that I wanted to make sure was clear is we are excited about Ty, but this is Matthew Stafford’s team. Ty will get an opportunity to be his successor, whenever Matthew decides that time is,” McVay said.

“We want to be able to plan for the short and the long. We know how fortunate we are to be able to have Matthew lead the way. But Ty …, he’s a great kid. He’s going to do a great job coming in, learning, and what better situation than to learn under one of the all-time greats and Matthew Stafford?”

McVay again downplayed his demeanor during his post-draft media availability on Day 1.

He was trying to show “respect for Matthew,” having selected his eventual successor. McVay called it a “unique situation” to “take a player that you like at a really important position.”

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