
Arteta: Arsenal ready to 'get job done' and win title after post-Man City recharge
Arteta calls on Arsenal to take charge in title race after loss to City
Rams' Sean McVay and Les Snead showed renewed optimism after Day 2 of the NFL draft, particularly following the selection of tight end Max Klare at 61st overall. Their demeanor shifted from subdued to upbeat, dispelling rumors of a rift in their partnership.
Mentioned in this story
Ohio State tight end Max Klare runs against UCLA in November. Klare was selected 61st overall by the Rams in the NFL draft. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images)
Sean McVay and Les Snead returned to form on Friday.
A day after their uncharacteristically subdued news conference in the wake of selecting quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the NFL draft, the Ramsâ coach and general manager smiled. They joked. They looked and sounded like one of the NFLâs most successful pair of decision-makers.
But mostly they tamped down speculation about a rift in their partnership. McVay also explained the reason for his âgrumpyâ demeanor the previous night.
After selecting Ohio State tight end Max Klare in the second round and Missouri offensive lineman Keagen Trost in the third, McVay bounded into Fridayâs news conference and quipped, âWhat do you guys think? Am I angry right now?â
Read more: Rams first-round pick Ty Simpson aiming to 'have a long career like Matthew'
The Rams selected tight end Max Klare with the 61st overall pick in the NFL draft.
Sean McVay and Les Snead appeared upbeat and joking, contrasting with their subdued mood from the previous day.
Sean McVay explained his 'grumpy' demeanor was temporary and related to the pressures of the draft.
Their successful selections and positive interactions suggest a strong partnership, countering speculation of a rift.

Arteta calls on Arsenal to take charge in title race after loss to City
Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool's interest in Denzel Dumfries, who has a ÂŁ21.7m release clause.
Shreyas Iyer's IPL Success Fuels T20I Leadership Aspirations

LeBron James leads Lakers to overtime win, 3-0 playoff series lead!
BCCI's Rajeev Shukla on India's Cricket Success and Future

Fitzpatricks one shot off lead in Zurich Classic pairs event
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
McVay doubled down on comments Snead made during a radio interview on Friday morning, during which Snead said they worked in âlockstepâ when making decisions.
"The one thing that would never be doubted is we couldn't be any more in lockstep in every decision that we make,â McVay said, adding. "Couldn't be more excited about us continuing to lead together.
âBut every decision we make is collective and collaborative ... this is my buddy right here."
McVay said his demeanor Thursday was not a reflection of how he felt about Simpson, but how he feels about starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL most valuable player who is preparing for his 18th season.
Rams general manager Les Snead, left, and coach Sean McVay are all smiles after Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday. (Gary Klein / Los Angeles Times)
"Couldn't be more excited about being able to add [Simpson],â he said, âbut also understanding of how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be to just the way things can be interpreted."
The Rams are Staffordâs team, McVay said. And Simpson will benefit from studying under him.
âWhat a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew, to be able to come into this atmosphere and environment,â McVay said. âBut whenever the time comes for him to get an opportunity to be Matthewâs successor, it will be on Matthewâs terms, and I think thatâs what the important thing was.â
In Simpson, Klare and Trost, the Rams have added three offensive players to a team that is expected to be a favorite to play in Super Bowl LXI in February at SoFi Stadium.
During an introductory news conference earlier Friday, Simpson reiterated that he was eager to learn from Stafford and play for McVay.
âCanât wait to talk to Matthew,â said Simpson, who characterized the veteran as âan assassinâ on the field. âIâm super excited because I just want to pick his brain about everything.â
Simpson, the son of Tennessee-Martin coach Jason Simpson, is âa football junkieâ who âplays with timing and rhythm,â McVay said. âYou can see that heâs a coachâs son.â
The resilience Simpson demonstrated, the ability to âstay the course, to go through some different challenging adversities,â impressed McVay.
âI think that shaped him,â McVay said.
Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett to back up Stafford. Jimmy Garoppolo, Staffordâs backup the last two seasons, is a free agent and mulling retirement, according to McVay and Snead.
Missouri offensive lineman Keagen Trost runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine on March 1. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
Is the door completely closed on a possible return?
âI wouldnât say youâd ever close it but by being able to do what we did [drafting Simpson] it probably lessens the level of urgency for that position,â McVay said, âbut I certainly wouldnât ever say never to anything like that.â
Klare adds to a tight end group that includes veteran Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and second-year pro Terrance Ferguson.
Midway through last season, the Rams pivoted to sets that utilized three tight ends, known as â13â personnel.
âThereâs nothing better than 13 personnel,â Klare said.
Trost is listed as a tackle but he is capable of playing all five positions on the line, Snead said.
On Saturday the Rams have one pick in the sixth round and three in the seventh.
Though the roster is regarded as Super Bowl ready, the Rams could use another receiver to complement stars Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
âReceiverâs always in the mix here,â Snead said.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.