Arizona Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur not surprised LA Rams got Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL world when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Leading up to the draft, most believed that the Arizona Cardinals would be the team that drafted him.

The Rams never gave them a chance to do so.

However, it didn't surprise the Cardinals.

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was on The Rich Eisen Show and talks about the draft. As LaFleur was the Rams' offensive coordinator last season and Simpson was connected to the Cardinals before the draft, Eisen asked him about how surprised he was that the Rams drafted him so high.

"I was surprised at Mr. Grumpy that night because I know how excited he is about that quarterback," he said, referring to how Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed unenthused in his draft class to Simpson when the Rams selected him. "He always really liked that quarterback."

McVay explained that his lack of enthusiasm was to try and respect starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, not seeming to eager about getting a player who would ultimately replace him.

That moment didn't reflect the Rams' excitement for Simpson. "There was a lot of love for Ty Simpson in that building," LaFleur said. "That wasn't shocking to me at all."

One might say that the Cardinals knew they really never had a shot at Simpson, which is why they try harder to get Simpson.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on ,  or .