Ty Simpson says he didn’t “really see” Sean McVay’s grumpy draft-night demeanor, despite Rams’ volatile press-conference talk.
Sean McVay’s draft-night press conference didn’t just spark headlines in Los Angeles, it also raised questions about what Ty Simpson noticed in the moment—because Simpson insists he didn’t really clock the mood at all.
When the Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. the decision immediately became one of the night’s most talked-about surprises.. But attention quickly shifted to McVay. who appeared sullen and disconnected. seemingly pushing the focus beyond the quarterback choice and onto how the coach carried himself with reporters.
Asked about McVay’s demeanor from that night. Simpson said Saturday he didn’t really see it. according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.. Still. Simpson offered a different frame for his excitement: he said he knows McVay has been in contact and described him as “super fired up. ” adding that he’s “super excited” about the opportunity.
Simpson didn’t stop at emotion alone. He also portrayed the fit as unusually strong, saying he couldn’t have asked for a better situation—pointing to what he sees as a top-tier environment, including the presence of the best player in the league in front of him and a top coach guiding the team.
The Rams’ sideline energy issue didn’t end with Simpson’s response, either. McVay himself admitted the next day that he was “grumpy” during the press conference, confirming at least part of what viewers and observers had picked up during the media availability.
Further details about the mood came through Chris Simms. who said he saw McVay during a recent visit to an Arsenal match in London.. Simms reported on PFT Live that McVay told him the vibe during the draft-night session “had to do with some sort of volatile situation” that occurred before the Rams went out to speak to reporters.
Simms added that, in his telling, there was “some little argument about something.” That characterization left room for interpretation while still reinforcing the idea that what appeared on stage was rooted in something that happened earlier, not in the quarterback selection itself.
Simpson’s comments also raise an obvious tension: it’s hard to imagine a player selected in a moment that dominated the opening night wasn’t aware of the reaction surrounding his coach.. Even so. Simpson suggested he may have chosen his wording carefully. implying he may not have directly witnessed what everyone else seemed to notice.
There’s another layer to the timeline.. The report notes that Simpson had a “secret meeting” with McVay before the draft. which means the quarterback likely had private access to the coach well before the cameras rolled.. Sources indicate that kind of meeting can shape how much a new player is told in advance—and it’s also consistent with the idea that he may have been asked not to discuss certain matters publicly.
Meanwhile, the Rams’ public message after choosing Simpson leaned heavily into opportunity and leadership.. Simpson’s insistence that McVay is engaged and excited suggests the relationship between coach and quarterback may have looked very different behind closed doors than it did in front of microphones.
Taken together. the comments from Simpson. McVay’s own admission. and Simms’ account point to a simple theme: what fans saw as a “grumpy” or disconnected press conference was likely the outward result of an earlier. unsettled moment.. For a quarterback entering a high-profile situation. the key question now is whether that early volatility stays contained—or whether it foreshadows bigger dynamics in how the organization handles pressure.
Ty Simpson Sean McVay Los Angeles Rams 2026 NFL Draft grumpy press conference NFL quarterback