Ty Simpson Admits Having Multiple Secret Meetings With Sean McVay Pre-Draft

By Tyler ErzbergerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.When Ty Simpson was taken No. 13 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday, the Crimson Tide quarterback admitted that he never really met or talked with head coach Sean McVay before being selected.This narrative continued to the post-night presser with McVay and Rams general manager Les Snead, where the usually rambunctious, excited ball coach was subdued and stoic about the drafting of Simpson.But the days following unraveled what appears to be an elaborate smokescreen by the Rams and McVay in particular, not only to throw off teams of their interest in Simpson but also to show reverence for reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, who is still negotiating a new contract with the Rams for the upcoming season.Simpson opened up about the process and his white lie at the draft on Monday in an interview with Ian Fitzsimmons on ESPN Radio's "Amber & Ian" show.More news: Sean McVay Sparks Concern With Remark About New QB Ty Simpson...More news: Rams 2026 NFL Draft Grades: The Ty Simpson Gambit"It was something where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn't want people to know that they were interested," Simpson said. "… 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."The Crimson Tide QB then went on to explain the "hours-long" key meeting he had with the Rams leader, as the two connected over their love of football and their shared understanding of the game."It was just straight football," said Simpson. "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."Although Simpson is projected as McVay's QB of the future, Stafford is firmly the team's leader until the 38-year-old signal-caller is ready to hang up his cleats. McVay has already confirmed that Simspon will be competing with former two-time College Football Playoff national champion QB Stetson Bennett for the backup spot on the roster.Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI GuidelinesRelated PodcastsTop StoriesPoliticsKing Charles and Queen Camilla Meet the Trumps at White House9 min readPoliticsThe Plots Against the Presidents4 min readWorldIran Heads to Russia for Help on US War—Why?6 min readPoliticsFact Check: Did Cole Allen Appear With Usha Vance in 2017 Video?3 min readFor MembersAnalysisTrump Is Right—Iran Has No Cards as Blockade Clock Ticks Down to May8 min readNewsEd Smart Warns Against Nancy Guthrie Family ‘Conspiracy Theories’5 min readTrendingOhioSupreme Court Deals Final Blow to Ex-GOP Speaker in $60M Bribery Case4 min readSusan CollinsSusan Collins’ Chances of Losing Senate Seat Hit All-Time High5 min readDogsDog Trainer Reveals 5 Signs Your Pup Feels Emotionally Safe at Home3 min readShootingBrewery Appears to Cheer Trump Assassination Attempt, Provokes Backlash8 min readGreen CardGreen Card Update: Applicants Impacted by Trump Travel Ban Get Legal Win6 min readOpinionOpinionThe Trump Staged Shooting Conspiracies Need to Stop | Opinion6 min readOpinionThe DNC Didn’t Ban AIPAC, But Warning Signs Remain | Opinion5 min readOpinionWar Won’t Solve Iran’s Nuclear Threat. This…

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