Les Snead says Sean McVay looped in MVP Matthew Stafford before drafting Ty Simpson, while the Rams balanced a cornerback push with a “bonus” QB choice.
The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to take quarterback Ty Simpson with the No.. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t being treated like a solo act inside the building.. In new comments. GM Les Snead says the plan had been discussed with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. and that head coach Sean McVay made sure Stafford was fully aligned.
Snead explained on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show that McVay sat down with Stafford specifically to communicate what the Rams would do if Simpson fell to them at No.. 13.. The message. per Snead. was that Stafford understood the framework and the timing of the franchise’s moves—an important detail when a team is adding a quarterback while still building around an established starter.. “Matthew is a very. very smart player. ” Snead said. framing Stafford as someone who grasps the organization’s direction and the professionalism required to execute it.
Behind the scenes, the Rams also approached the pick with a degree of flexibility.. Snead described No.. 13 as a “bonus pick” after Los Angeles acquired that slot from the Atlanta Falcons in the previous draft cycle.. The Rams weren’t simply waiting to take a quarterback—they went into the process with a different top priority: cornerback help.. Snead said the club’s internal expectations suggested the highest-ranked cornerbacks might not last until their original spot. forcing a strategic pivot.
That pivot shaped the bigger draft story.. Snead said the Rams “pivot[ed]” after anticipating they couldn’t “solidify that corner room” at No.. 13.. Instead, Los Angeles used the later No.. 29 pick to target and trade for Trent McDuffie.. The Rams then backed up that aggressive approach by signing McDuffie to a contract that is set to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the league.. In other words. the Simpson selection wasn’t a distraction from the Rams’ needs—it was part of a two-track plan: cover protection first. quarterback insurance and development as well.
The Simpson-to-Los-Angeles narrative also includes a public mystery moment.. During the draft. Simpson raised eyebrows by telling reporters he had “really no clue” the Rams would select him. and that he hadn’t previously met McVay or spoken to Snead before the Thursday-night proceedings.. Snead said the answer came from a deliberate team policy: the Rams asked Simpson to keep quiet about meetings with leadership. including an hours-long get-together with McVay and Snead. to reduce the chance opponents could adjust draft positioning.
That secrecy, Snead suggested, was consistent with how the Rams manage information.. He pointed to the team’s approach to visits and meetings—explaining that while Los Angeles hosted no top-30 visits. it held more than 60 private meetings with prospects before the 2024 and 2025 drafts.. In a modern draft environment where move-the-marker speculation spreads quickly. the Rams appear to have treated discretion as a competitive edge.
The Stafford and McVay coordination is the part that adds extra football logic to the headlines.. Snead’s comments suggest Stafford wasn’t just a passive presence as the organization drafted for the future; he was brought into the thinking.. That matters because quarterback transitions aren’t only about talent evaluation—they’re also about leadership continuity. locker-room stability. and how a veteran quarterback handles change without losing rhythm.. If Stafford truly understands the plan. the Rams can integrate their draft decisions more smoothly rather than allowing uncertainty to linger.
There’s also the broader context of where Stafford’s situation stands.. Stafford confirmed in February that he will return for another season with the Rams. and reports indicate contract progress on a new deal.. With the starter secured. the question becomes less “who plays now?” and more “how does the QB2 picture form?” Immediately after Los Angeles drafted Simpson. McVay described the rookie as competing with Stetson Bennett for the QB2 role—something Snead echoed later.
That competition could begin to take shape in the early off-season.. Snead said the meaningful work should start around OTA workouts beginning May 26. when the Rams’ quarterback group will have to translate the draft plan into practice reps. learning cadence. and on-field execution.. For Simpson. the timeline is important: he won’t just be drafted—he’ll be tested. coached. and evaluated for how quickly he can operate within the Rams’ system.
As the Rams juggle contract negotiations, defensive roster priorities, and a quarterback development timeline, the No.. 13 pick now reads like a carefully structured gamble rather than a sudden shift.. The message from Snead is clear: McVay and Stafford were in sync on the plan. the defense got its cornerback anchor through a trade. and Simpson’s role is set to be earned alongside Bennett.. The next chapter will likely arrive faster than most fans expect—once OTAs start. the question won’t be whether the Rams had a plan. but how quickly Simpson can turn that plan into results for the future.