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Ty Simpson spoke candidly about Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and new teammate Matthew Stafford.
If Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was truly upset on draft night during his and general manager Les Snead’s post-selection presser, 13th overall pick Ty Simpson did not see it and has not gotten any sense that that is the case from McVay to this point.
In fact, Simpson continued to be effusive with praise for not only McVay, but also the Rams’ current starting QB and the reigning NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford.
It is all the rookie passer can do to quell what has been a firestorm of reactions.
Ty Simpson’s Take on Sean McVay Goes Under Microscope
According to Gary Klein of the LA Times, Simpson said that he was unaware of the fan reactions to his selection, saying he just knew the Rams selected him and to “sign me up” to do “whatever the team needs me to do.”
Simpson took a similar stance on McVay’s polarizing expression, saying, “I didn’t really see it.”
Simpson said the “one thing” he knows is McVay has remained “in contact and he’s super fired up. And I’m super excited.”
“I know that I couldn’t have asked for a better situation, not only with the best player in the league in front of me but the best coach in the league at the helm,” Simpson said after the Rams’ WalkUnitedLA fundraising event, per Klein on May 9.
However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio questioned whether Simpson was being genuine.
“It’s hard to imagine Simpson wasn’t aware of one of the most talked-about moments from the first night of the draft, especially since it directly related to him. Then again, maybe Simpson chose his words carefully. Maybe he didn’t “see” it. Surely, someone told him about it,” Florio wrote on May 10.
“Or maybe he did see it. And maybe he was asked not to discuss it. That’s what happened when he had a ‘secret meeting’ with McVay before the draft.”
Florio noted that McVay owned up to his dour look, but that the head coach also cited a “volatile situation” that resulted in an “argument.” Those remarks conflict with the Super Bowl champion’s previous assertion that he was trying to contain himself for Stafford’s sake.
Matthew Stafford Reached Out to Ty Simpson
GettyMatthew Stafford reached out to new Los Angeles Rams teammate Ty Simpson.
Klein also unearthed another revelation from Simpson: that Stafford had indeed reached out to his new teammate. That is despite previously saying he had only heard from the veteran QB’s wife, Kelly Stafford.
Simpson said Stafford sent him a message that he initially did not see.
In it, Stafford poked fun at the long-standing rivalry between their two alma maters; Alabama for Simpson and Georgia for Stafford and 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV.
Simpson told Klein that “it was funny,” with Stafford first saying, “‘Welcome, man. I’m super pumped’ to have him on board before adding ‘Loved watching you play, but you played for the wrong jersey.’
“So when I see him on Monday, I’m going to give him heck about that.”
Simpson said that he is “super excited” to join the QB room. He also knows that he has to “stand up for myself.” He is the lone former Crimson Tide in a room with ex-Bulldogs.
Matthew Stafford Proved Sean McVay Right
GettySean McVay has insisted that Matthew Stafford took the news of Ty Simpson being drafted well.
The broader point of Simpson’s comments is that Stafford validated McVay’s initial messaging about how the Pro Bowler handled news of the team selecting a QB with its first pick rather than a skill position player who could help him this coming season.
McVay has emphasized that Stafford is the Rams’ starter and will be for as long as he wants.
To that end, the two sides are also working through the details of a contract extension. That underscores that Simpson is a long-term replacement plan behind Stafford for the Rams.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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