NFL player shares fascinating Sean McVay theory for why Rams picked Ty Simpson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The shocker of the 2026 NFL Draft came courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams when they selected Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, in the first round at pick No. 13.

Initially, it looked as if Sean McVay wasn't a fan of the pick. He explained it away as him being "grumpy," but it's hard not to feel as if McVay wasn't fully on board.

However, one anonymous NFL player presented an interesting theory as to why this pick was made. According to Fox Sports' Eric Williams, one NFL player speculated the Rams took Simpson to try to keep McVay around after Matthew Stafford retires.

"The McVay angle is interesting," an anonymous NFL player said, "because if he is not planning on sticking around, this is essentially a pick for the next head coach. But maybe this is a way to get him excited about staying and not riding off into the sunset with Matthew Stafford."

This is purely speculation from this anonymous NFL player, but it's some interesting speculation nonetheless.

McVay has considered retirement before in his coaching career, but hung around, and with the team in great shape, he doesn't look likely to leave anytime soon.

That is, until there is some major uncertainty at the QB position. McVay might not want to go through a full rebuild, and could very easily step away early once Stafford is gone.

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McVay is a top coach in the NFL. If the Rams taking Simpson at pick No. 13 could guarantee they keep McVay for the next four-to-five years, if not longer, it would be a worthwhile pick, especially with the upside of Simpson.

While the floor for Simpson is low, the ceiling is high, and McVay might be the best coach to get the most out of his talent in the NFL.

This theory from an anonymous NFL player is a fun one, as, despite McVay's initial reaction to the trade, which seemed to have the Rams head coach not in favor of the pick, this theory suggests that this selection was one to placate the coach.

There's far too much uncertainty with this pick from the Rams and McVay and Stafford's future to make a determination for sure on whether this theory is false or not. But, it's most likely just speculation, albeit a very fascinating one.

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