Ty Simpson disclosed a previously secret meeting with Rams coach Sean McVay prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. He initially claimed he hadn't met McVay, but later revealed he was instructed to keep the meeting private.
Key points
Ty Simpson revealed a secret meeting with Sean McVay.
He was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 2026.
Simpson was initially told not to disclose the meeting.
He discussed the meeting on ESPN Radio's 'Amber and Ian' show.
Mentioned in this story
Sean McVay
Ty SimpsonLos Angeles Rams
Ty Simpson reveals 'secret meeting' with Rams, Sean McVay before 2026 NFL Draft
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
26 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
27 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
28 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
29 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
30 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
31 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
32 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
"We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could," Simpson explained. "It was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn't want people to know that they were interested.
"So, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody."
Despite the secrecy, Simpson wasn't sure whether the Rams would select him in the 2026 NFL Draft's first round.
"I knew they were interested," Simpson said. "I just didn't know when."
Simpson further detailed the meeting he had with McVay occurred at Rams' facility. The 23-year-old quarterback described the meeting as "great" and that McVay's love for football shone through during their conversation.
"We just talked for hours and hours, and it was just football," Simpson said. "It was just straight football. And it was like a kid in a candy store. Me and him are sitting there, and we're just going back and forth. You can tell the obsession he has for the game, and you can tell the love he has for quarterback play.
"It's something that I appreciate, and it's something that I enjoy because I really enjoy playing the position and value the position. So, being with him and then getting to know him and then just seeing a little bit of how I would get coached if I was fortunate enough to go there was something that I couldn't have asked for a better situation."
Simpson's situation is expected to involve him beginning his career as the backup to reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
McVay made it clear after selecting Simpson the Rams were still "Matthew's team" and that any decision about when the Alabama product might succeed him would come on "Stafford's terms."