Friday night’s all right for smiling, at least according to Sean McVay.
A day after the Los Angeles Rams head coach raised some eyebrows with his body language and demeanor during his post-draft media availability, McVay seemed to be sunshine and rainbows on Friday.
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“What do you guys think, am I angry right now?,” McVay said with a smile and a laugh as he took the podium during the Rams’ post-draft press conference.
The head coach explained his seemingly “grumpy” demeanor in the aftermath of the surprising selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, saying “normal life” got in the way.
“There were other things that had nothing to do with that (the selection of Ty Simpson), that’s normal life,” McVay said. “The main thing was, I couldn’t be more excited about being able to add him, but also understanding of, how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be to just the way things can be interpreted.
“And, so, the demeanor would have been stoic by nature, because you are excited, but by no means, it is Matthew’s football team, and we are excited to add Ty.”
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2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders
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2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M – Cleveland Browns
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2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal – Los Angeles Rams
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – Houston Texans
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2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia – Detroit Lions
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2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan – Miami Dolphins
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2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU – Oakland Raiders
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss – San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC – Cincinnati Bengals
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State – Houston Texans
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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech – Atlanta Falcons
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2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State – Cleveland Browns
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1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky – Cleveland Browns
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1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee – Indianapolis Colts
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1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State – St. Louis Rams
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1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami – Dallas Cowboys
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1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois – Indianapolis Colts
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1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA – Dallas Cowboys
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1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn – Atlanta Falcons
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1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
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1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech – Buffalo Bills
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1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska – New England Patriots
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1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford – Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
McVay added that Simpson’s time to ascend to the QB1 spot would only come on “Stafford’s terms,” and that all decisions that McVay and general manager Les Snead make come in “lockstep,” and “collective and collaborative.”
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To that end, the Rams and Stafford are reportedly talking through a new contract, which could delay Simpson’s debut as the team’s signal caller.
More: Rams decision to draft Ty Simpson makes sense. Here’s why | Opinion
That, coupled with Stafford’s dominance in 2025 resulting in winning the league’s MVP award, made the Simpson pick puzzling to some analysts, fans and experts, even before McVay’s tense conference stoked flames.
For now, all’s good in Hollywood, according to McVay, and the Rams are clearly welcoming the sequel to Matthew Stafford.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sean McVay has an explanation for ‘grumpy’ reaction at press conference
