More information emerges on Sean McVay's reaction to Rams drafting Ty Simpson, Matthew Stafford contract talks

How Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looked and sounded after the club surprisingly made Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson the 13th overall selection of the 2026 NFL Draft continues to cause some to wonder if Rams general manager Les Snead was truly responsible for the Simpson pick.

On Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic addressed what remains one of the most-discussed topics related to this year's player-selection process. 

How Sean McVay reportedly truly feels about Ty Simpson

"I am certain, based on conversations with league and team sources plus a recent conversation with McVay, that he is very high on Simpson," Rodrigue wrote. "So is Snead." 

McVay has since claimed that his viral reaction to the Simpson pick was largely "based on the respect" he has for starter and reigning Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford. On Monday, Simpson revealed that he "had some secret meetings with Coach McVay" leading up to this year's draft. 

"The Rams do not pick players McVay does not emphatically want, especially in early rounds," Rodrigue explained. "He always has a significant say over the first pick they make, after dialogue with and ultimate agreement from general manager Les Snead. McVay may get impatient during the process, and so may Snead — but neither unilaterally makes picks. Both coach and GM would have had to be completely on board for this to happen."

Are Rams close to signing Matthew Stafford to extension?

Days before the draft got underway, it was reported that Stafford could soon sign a contract extension. The 2026 season is the final year of Stafford's current deal, but it sounds like the 38-year-old will get a pay raise at some point this spring or summer. 

"The two sides have not yet fully agreed on Stafford’s adjusted contract," Rodrigue shared, "although a league source said progress has been made." 

Such "progress" doesn't guarantee anything regarding the parties putting pen to paper on a deal. That said, there's been no indication since the Rams lost to the rival Seattle Seahawks in this year's NFC Championship Game that Los Angeles wants to move on from Stafford in early 2027.