Ty Simpson says he had private “secret meetings” with Sean McVay before the Rams selected him with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, offering a rare glimpse into how QB targeting can be handled behind the scenes.
Ty Simpson is speaking openly about the quiet process that preceded his landing spot—an NFL moment that rarely comes with details.
Simpson described having “secret meetings” with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay before the team chose him with the No.. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, framing the interactions as something the organization tried to keep private.. For a coach as visible and respected as McVay. Simpson’s account immediately raises the question every NFL fan thinks about in draft season: what did the Rams actually do with their top-quarterback priorities before the public noise hit full volume?
According to Simpson, the intent was to remain “under wraps” as long as possible.. He said he knew the Rams were interested. but that they wanted to keep the quarterback pursuit private and avoid tipping off the rest of the league.. In his telling. those conversations weren’t meant to be flashy or widely shared; they were more like controlled steps—staying “on script” while following guidance about what could and couldn’t be discussed.
That kind of secrecy matters in the draft ecosystem.. NFL teams aren’t just evaluating prospects on game film—they’re managing risk, leverage, and timing.. When a franchise closes in on a quarterback. the ripple effect can show up quickly: rivals adjust their board. agents interpret signals. and trade scenarios become more complicated.. By limiting visibility, a team can reduce outside pressure while ensuring their process stays consistent.
For Simpson, the “secret meetings” narrative also carries a human element.. Prospects experience the draft like a pressure cooker: public workouts, interviews, media cycles, and constant speculation.. Private conversations—especially with a head coach known for detail-oriented leadership—can provide a clearer picture of fit. expectations. and how quickly a rookie is expected to adapt.. Even without any added specifics. the tone Simpson uses suggests he viewed the meetings as part of a deliberate plan rather than a late. casual pitch.
From a football-operations standpoint, it’s easy to see why McVay and the Rams would want discretion.. The quarterback position is where teams have the highest ceiling and the most costly mistakes.. If the league senses a club is committed to a particular signal-caller. other teams can counter with pressure or attempt to force the Rams into decisions earlier than they prefer.. Keeping interest quiet can help a team preserve flexibility.
Looking at the Rams’ selection at No.. 13. Simpson’s comments offer another layer: this wasn’t just a scouting-room decision; it appears to have been reinforced through direct. confidential communication.. That matters because quarterback evaluation is rarely one-dimensional.. Teams weigh accuracy, decision speed, processing, leadership, and how a player responds when the structure is unfamiliar.. When a coach invests in private meetings, it often signals the organization wants alignment—not just talent.
There’s also a broader trend inside the league worth considering.. More teams treat the quarterback search as an ongoing project, not a single event.. The strongest franchises don’t wait until draft day to build belief; they develop relationships. shape expectations. and test the fit through conversations that can stay off the record.. Simpson’s account fits that model: the Rams reportedly tried to make the process controlled, quiet, and procedural.
For fans. the immediate takeaway is straightforward: Ty Simpson believes he received private access to the Rams’ vision for his role. delivered through McVay-style meetings intended to stay hidden until the selection was locked.. For the Rams. the bigger implication is how they navigate the QB landscape—using confidentiality as a tool to protect evaluation. preserve options. and keep rivals from guessing too early.. As training camp approaches after the draft selection. the question won’t just be whether Simpson can play—it will be whether he can match the script the Rams appear to have mapped out long before the pick was announced.