Head coach Sean McVay\u2019s reaction to the Ty Simpson pick drew scrutiny.<\/p>\n
McVay, typically known for his emotion, showed little reaction when the Los Angeles Rams used their first-round pick on Ty Simpson<\/a> \u2013 quarterback from the University of Alabama. The media interpreted his reaction as a sign that he preferred drafting a player they could use now instead of drafting Matthew Stafford\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n Most draft picks are selected with the support of both the head coach and the general manager. General manager Les Snead<\/a> appeared to be at the forefront of the decision. The choice between the present and the future is unavoidable, but it didn\u2019t seem necessary this year. Stafford\u2019s potential retirement after the season forced the Rams to consider his successor.<\/p>\n Snead explained how the Rams chose to approach the draft this year.<\/p>\n “Our macro philosophy is, if we can use free agency to not be desperate in the draft, we more than likely will be better drafters,” Snead said<\/a>, “because we’re not reaching, we’re not desperate. We’re not going in there with a major void major hole that has to be filled.”<\/p>\n McVay set the record straight, clarifying his reaction to the Simpson pick on The Herd with Colin Cowherd<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely would do it differently in terms of the misunderstanding and where it becomes a bigger story,\u201d McVay said. \u201cYes, I was a little surprised when I looked back on it but you say let\u2019s learn from it, let\u2019s handle the way you want to not create an unnecessary distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though McVay\u2019s reaction told one story, he understood the pick and was on board with the decision. He explained the Simpson pick and the thought process behind it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a private meeting which is standard operating procedure,\u201d McVay said. \u201cI think there was something communicated from Les\u2019 [Snead] end to him as he was navigating the draft process to keep everything close to the vest. It was good for us to spend some time together.\u201d<\/p>\n McVay said the Rams selected Simpson because they don\u2019t view themselves as one player away from winning the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand the narrative from people, you were one player away. Well, here\u2019s what I would tell you,\u201d McVay said<\/a>. \u201cIf you could\u2019ve guaranteed me that we’re taking a great player like [Makai] Lemon or another skill player would have ensured us, you\u2019re damn right that\u2019s what we would\u2019ve done. But that\u2019s not how it works. Every single year is a new year.\u201d<\/p>\n While the Rams are Super Bowl favorites, McVay knows they must work just as hard to get back to where they were last season.<\/p>\nLA Rams Draft Approach Under GM Les Snead<\/h2>\n
Sean McVay Sets the Record Straight<\/h2>\n