The Rams' Unconventional Draft Pick: A Tale of No Contact and Raw Talent

Imagine the scene: you've dedicated years to a sport, poured your heart and soul into every practice, every game. The NFL Draft is finally here, and your name is called. Pure elation, right? For Ty Simpson, a promising young quarterback out of Alabama, that moment was definitely exciting, but it also came with a rather bewildering twist. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round, 196th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft, only to realize he had never actually spoken to head coach Sean McVay – or anyone else from the Rams organization, for that matter – prior to receiving that life-changing call.

“No, I never even spoke with him,” Simpson reportedly told reporters, his voice likely tinged with a mix of surprise and a touch of disbelief. It’s certainly an oddity in the modern NFL, where teams usually do their due diligence, conducting multiple interviews, medical checks, and extensive background conversations with prospects, especially for quarterbacks. Simpson confirmed that he hadn't engaged with any Rams coaches, general managers, or scouts throughout the entire pre-draft process. Naturally, this left him, and probably many observers, a bit bewildered. “I was pretty confused, but I’m blessed and thankful for the opportunity.”

Now, this isn't to say the Rams just pulled a name out of a hat. Far from it. When confronted with the unique situation, Sean McVay, ever the candid communicator, owned up to the oversight. He jokingly (or perhaps half-jokingly) referred to the selection as a “shotgun marriage” and admitted it was an “anomaly” in their typically meticulous draft process. He conceded that the lack of direct communication with Simpson was indeed a "mistake" on the team's part, acknowledging that it was something they certainly needed to rectify going forward. Still, he emphasized that despite the communication breakdown, they had done their homework.

McVay assured everyone that the Rams' scouting department had conducted extensive background work on Simpson. They knew his playing style, his potential, and his character. The decision to draft him wasn't impulsive, even if the pre-draft interaction was non-existent. It seems they simply liked the raw talent and what they saw on film, so much so that they were willing to overlook the usual protocols for a late-round pick they felt had upside.

What makes this situation even more intriguing is that the Rams had already selected another quarterback, Spencer Rattler, in the fifth round. Drafting two quarterbacks, especially when one comes with this peculiar no-contact backstory, really raised some eyebrows. For Simpson, who redshirted in 2022 and backed up Jalen Milroe at Alabama in 2023 after transferring from a JUCO (and before that, being a backup to Bryce Young), this opportunity with the Rams presents a fresh start, albeit one that began in the most unconventional way possible. It’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft – sometimes, the call comes from an unexpected number, with an even more unexpected backstory.