Sean McVay’s LA Rams future tied to Matthew Stafford as Ty Simpson reaction raises huge doubts: ‘We’re so connected’

The Los Angeles Rams took Ty Simpson with the 13th pick of the NFL Draft, and Sean McVay didn’t appear too impressed.

It was, simply, a move that shocked many across the league.

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Los Angeles is a team that has high hopes of a Super Bowl run in 2026, and they have the reigning MVP quarterback on their roster.

Alabama signal-caller Simpson was not even supposed to go this high. He was slated as a late-first, or early second-round pick at best.

Many assumed that once the Rams traded away their No. 29 overall selection to the Kansas City Chiefs, that Simpson’s chances of landing in LA were done.

They assumed wrong, and after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the shock pick at No. 13, attention quickly turned to McVay.

The Rams head coach sat alongside general manager Les Snead as the decision to select Simpson was dissected, and his reaction was telling.

McVay seemed visibly agitated, and stared through Snead as he explained the pick. He was largely short with his own responses, too, and even bluntly suggested that the rookie will have to battle Stetson Bennett for the back-up role.

They weren’t the words of a man who is all-in on this big draft decision.

And why would he be? McVay wants to win now, alongside his MVP quarterback — and their first-round pick might not help in that quest.

Sean McVay’s connection with MVP Matthew Stafford runs deep

The Rams have arguably the best roster in football, and Stafford is coming off the best season of his 17-year NFL career, which saw him scoop the top individual award.

Despite turning 37 ahead of the 2025 season, Stafford turned back the clock and looked a QB in his prime.

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He led the league with 4,707 passing yards, 276.9 yards per game, and 46 passing touchdowns, while throwing just eight interceptions.

Stafford ranked No. 2 in passer rating (109.2) and led the top scoring offense (30.5 points per game) as the Rams achieved a 12-5 regular season finish before falling just short in the NFC Championship Game, against the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

In 2026, anything less than another run at the Lombardi Trophy will be seen as a big, big disappointment for a team powered by McVay and Stafford, who lifted the prize together back in 2021.

Success, of course, is what it’s all about for both men, who have a bond that runs deep.

Before this MVP season, there had been rumors Stafford was ready to hang it up as he dealt with a back injury.

But he put to bed any suggestion that it wouldn’t hold out by, quite simply, putting the Rams on his back throughout the year.

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Accepting his MVP award two months ago, he informed everyone that he would ‘see them next year.’

His quick return decision helped ensure the Rams could go all in on 2026, to aggressively chase another Super Bowl ring — and it also meant a lot to McVay.

“It was good,” the HC told NFL Network at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, of Stafford’s quick decision.

“Everything starts with that position, and when you’ve got a guy like him that instils belief in everybody around him, the way he goes about it, he epitomizes everything we want to be about.

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“Then, obviously, he’s a special player, but even more a special person. It meant a lot.

“We’re so connected, I think there was a good feel, good vibe that that was the direction you were going in, but you never want to be presumptive.

“He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms, and I think he still loves playing.

“He’s obviously playing at an incredible clip, so that was big.”

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Sean McVay’s future could be tied to Matthew Stafford

Stafford’s quick decision opened the door for GM Snead to attack the offseason, and there were promising signs when All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Grant Stuard joined an already stacked roster.

But the arrival of Simpson could potentially throw McVay, and underline just how tied he is to his MVP.

The pair have done it all together in the past five seasons, and now 38, Stafford doesn’t have long left in the league.

He will want to go out with a bang at Super Bowl LXI, which will be played at SoFi Stadium — the home of the Rams — in February 2027.

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Stafford has the chance to ride off into the sunset, and once he departs, McVay might not be far behind.

His reaction to drafting Simpson did not scream the excitement of developing a rookie talent into the post-Stafford face of the franchise.

That, perhaps, is simply because McVay might not plan on sticking around either.

When MVP Stafford does hang it up, which could be a year from now, or further down the line, it will be very interesting to see what his head coach then does.

McVay could make a go of it in LA, or look to move on for pastures new.

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