Rams shockingly select Ty Simpson 13th overall despite minimal pre-draft interest

Rams' surprise selection of Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams made a stunning move in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. The selection caught everyone off guard—including Simpson himself—who had minimal pre-draft communication with the Rams organization.

Simpson revealed that his only interactions with the Rams were brief meetings with scouts during Alabama’s Pro Day. He stated:

"It was really brief. I met with some scouts at Bama and that was really it. They talked to my agent but it was really not much."

Simpson also noted that he had never visited the Rams’ facilities and had only been to Los Angeles once—for the Rose Bowl. While his father, the head football coach at UT-Martin, has been in contact with Rams GM Les Snead, Simpson confirmed he had never met either Snead or head coach Sean McVay before the draft.

"This was my first time talking to Les, tonight," Simpson said. "This was my first contact."

McVay's lukewarm reaction raises questions

At the Rams’ post-draft press conference, McVay appeared notably unenthused about the selection, fueling speculation that he may have preferred a player better positioned to help Matthew Stafford win another Super Bowl rather than groom a potential successor. McVay only confirmed that Simpson would compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback role.

Simpson expresses excitement over joining Stafford and McVay

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pick, Simpson expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Rams and learning from Stafford and McVay. He stated:

"I haven't talked to Matthew yet but I'm super pumped to be in the room with him and learn from him. He's one of the greatest of all time. We watched his film all the time when I was with Bama, the stuff he did, the stuff the Rams did with Coach McVay, so the fact that I can soak up all that knowledge, I couldn't ask for a better situation."