Sean McVay did not ignore the viral moment involving John Lynch, but he made sure to handle it his own way.
The LA Rams’ decision to draft Ty Simpson quickly became one of the most talked-about moves of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Not just because of the pick itself, but because of how others around the league reacted to it, and when a division rival could not hide his expression, it only added another layer to an already intriguing storyline.
McVay’s comments about the now-viral reaction from the San Francisco 49ers’ GM were shared by John Frascella on X.
“I love John, I’d be interested to see what’s he smirking at there. … I got a lot of respect for Lynchie. I can’t wait to see him and see if he was smirking at us,” McVay said.
The response was measured, but it carried a clear tone. McVay did not dismiss the moment, yet he also did not escalate it.
Instead, he leaned on his relationship with Lynch while subtly acknowledging the competitive edge that comes with a rivalry like Rams versus 49ers.
The reaction itself came during Lynch’s press conference, where he appeared to smile and chuckle when asked about the Rams selecting Simpson at No. 13 overall.
That moment stood out because the pick was widely viewed as a surprise. Many expected the Rams to target an immediate-impact player, especially with Matthew Stafford still leading the team after an MVP-caliber season.
Instead, Los Angeles chose a developmental quarterback, a move that signaled long-term planning rather than a win-now approach.
Within the context of the rivalry, it also carries another layer. Using a high pick on a player who may not contribute right away can be seen as easing pressure on division opponents in the short term.
At the same time, the Rams have made it clear internally that this was not a rushed decision. Simpson had multiple pre-draft conversations with McVay, including extended private meetings that were intentionally kept quiet.
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