Sports

Ty Simpson’s Determination To Lie For Sean McVay Raises Questions About Awareness

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iStockphoto / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images


Ty Simpson was selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. To most viewers watching along at home, that was a surprise.

The organization, however, insists that he was always the top target. They went as far as to hide pre-draft meetups with the quarterback to keep interest a secret.

Simpson confirmed that narrative this week. He kept things under wraps so that the partnership would come to fruition. GM Les Snead says he might’ve taken it a step too far.

Ty Simpson misunderstood the assignment.

Snead appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday to detail the pre-draft process. He says the Rams don’t typically do visits with first round players, who are often speaking with multiple suitors.

Too much is public. Word gets around.

Publicity gives opposing teams bargaining power or an ability to move up in the draft. Los Angeles prefers to play cards close to the vest with Top 30 prospects. The staff broke that rule for Ty Simpson.

The Rams and Simpson met before the event. LA asked the QB to keep other teams in the dark, which he did. He continued to hide details from the media after being selected.

“(My time with the Rams) was really brief, to be honest with you,” Simpson said on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. “I met with some scouts in Alabama, and that was really it. They talked to my agent, but that really wasn’t much.”

He insinuated that he had not spoken to Sean McVay before the draft. The head coach then appeared angry with the Rams’ choice at No. 13. The optics were bad.

Given his late-round projection, many jumped to the conclusion that Snead made the call without the head coach’s approval. He reached for the passer due to a friendship with Simpson’s dad, Jason.

McVay spurned the suggestions of unhappiness. Snead, meanwhile, did his best to clarify Simpson’s post-draft response.

Awareness level: 0

“We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could… 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.”

-Ty Simpson

Ty Simpson admitted to the pre-draft meetings this week, which were done in secret. He said was simply following a script provided by the Rams after being drafted.

Given the negative reaction to Simpson’s draft day commentary, Les Snead attempted to provide clarity. There was a disconnect.

Snead says Simpson succeeded in hiding intel from NFL rivals. He was just too committed to the bit!

The need to lie ended as soon as he got drafted. It makes you questions his awareness, though his follow through on a plan is unmatched.

Of course, the Rams will live with the lack of street smarts if the on-field IQ is high. They clearly believe that he can be the future of the franchise with the Top 15 selection.