The Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Head coach Sean McVay's muted reaction to the pick has gone viral, raising questions about his enthusiasm for the choice.
Key points
Rams selected Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft
Sean McVay's reaction to the pick went viral
Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett for backup QB role
Draft took place on April 23, 2026
Mentioned in this story
Sean McVayTy SimpsonStetson Bennett
Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay (l.); Ty Simpson (r.)Credit: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty; Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty
Sean McVay (l.); Ty Simpson (r.)
Credit: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty; Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
The Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23
Sean McVay's muted reaction to the pick sparked online speculation about his enthusiasm for Simpson
Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback role behind Stafford
The Los Angeles Rams stunned the masses Thursday, April 23 with the surprise selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But it was the post-pick reaction from head coach Sean McVay that really stirred buzz online.
Shortly after the Rams selected the 23-year-old Simpson with the 13th overall pick in this year's draft, McVay and Rams general manager Les Snead fielded questions from reporters about what factored into their decision to take a quarterback, as current starter Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP campaign. As Snead, 55, answered questions, several on social media turned their attention to McVay, 40, taking note of the coach's body language and lack of enthusiasm over the pick.
"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," Nate Atkins of The Athletic posted Thursday on X.
Q&A
What was Sean McVay's reaction to the Rams selecting Ty Simpson?
Sean McVay's muted reaction to the selection of Ty Simpson has sparked online speculation about his enthusiasm for the pick.
Who did the Rams draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What position will Ty Simpson compete for on the Rams?
Ty Simpson will compete for the backup quarterback role behind Matthew Stafford.
When was the 2026 NFL Draft held?
The 2026 NFL Draft was held on April 23, 2026.
Related Articles
Sports
Fernandes the highest-rated player as EA SPORTS FC 26 reveal PL TOTS
Bruno Fernandes is the highest-rated player in EA SPORTS FC 26 Premier League TOTS!
Sky Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
The Atlanta Braves, with new manager Walt Weiss leading the way, are off to the best start in MLB
Atlanta Braves excel with new manager Walt Weiss, leading MLB with an 18-8 record.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Tony Kanaan opens up on Lundgaard, Siegel contract situation
Tony Kanaan evaluates Lundgaard and Siegel's futures after Indy 500
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Cricket·Recap
Kohli and Padikkal lead Bengaluru into IPL top two after beating Gujarat
Virat Kohli scored 81 runs, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Devdutt Padikkal contributed 55 runs, helping Bengaluru chase down a target of 206 runs.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Sesko backs 'great' Fernandes for player of the year
Sesko endorses Fernandes as top contender for Player of the Year
Sky Sports··1 min read
NBA·Injury Update
Why Damian Lillard isn't playing for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs amid injury news
Damian Lillard remains sidelined as Trail Blazers face Spurs amid injury recovery.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
"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 of Underdog wrote in an X post. "Les Snead way way more fired up."
One X user remarked of the interaction, "You could tell that McVay looked dead inside after Snead drafted Ty Simpson."
The Rams finished the 2025 regular season at 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game. The team fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 25.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew StaffordCredit: Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford
Credit: Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Stafford, 38, tossed for 4,707 yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns in the regular season en route to his first-ever league MVP title. He is entering his 18th season in the league.
McVay, who said he spoke to Stafford prior to the Simpson pick on Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times, made it clear it's the veteran's team as he and Snead spoke about the Rams' newest addition.
"To be able to add somebody that you can evaluate a body of work where he was asked to play the position and a lot of things that do translate in terms of concepts, reading with his feet, some of the different things in the drop back in the play-action game and the movement game. There are a lot of things that [Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan] Grubb did that’s very similar to how we operate so it made it an easier evaluation to be able to say, ‘Alright, what would that look like if he did translate it to our level?' " McVay said, per Pro Football Talk.
"... We will be excited to be able to get to work with [Simpson]. That’s where we’re at," the coach also said.
