Outlandish Ty Simpson critique from former 49ers GM has no basis in fact

Will it ever stop? The line of present and former NFL analysts decrying the Los Angeles Rams' selection of Ty Simpson in the draft continues to grow. All too often, any complaints against the rookie quarterback are poorly supported, if at all.

Recently, former San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders general manager Scot McCloughan appeared on The Kevin Sheehan Show and claimed that Los Angeles 'overdrafted' Simpson with the 13th pick:

"I think the quarterback from Alabama is overdrafted. But it’s the position alone, you know. I think, not being a guru, but he’s like J.J. McCarthy. He’s like Mac Jones. He’s a career backup.”

He doesn't cite facts. He doesn't point to a hitch in his passing mechanics, a flaw in his footwork, or a deer-in-the-headlights look under pressure. His reasoning for the claim is seemingly, 'because I said so!' And even many fact-based criticisms of Simpson wilt under closer inspection.

The claim was just the first of baseless assertions, hinting at a subjective bias. How can a former league executive make such pointed claims about a young player? Well, if the goal was to get press coverage, no matter how critical, it worked.

Why Rams fans can ignore Scot McCloughan's warnings.

McCloughan reportedly left the 49ers for personal reasons in 2010, after two years on the job. He was fired for personal reasons from the Commanders in 2017 - again after two years - but this time, reports indicated dysfunction in the front office operations as the underlying reason for his dismissal.

His career overlapped with Sean McVay's when the latter was the offensive coordinator at Washington. Since then, McVay has blossomed into one of the NFL's most successful head coaches while McCloughan has yet to return to the league in any capacity.

Nobody claimed Simpson would be a Day 1 starter. But the reasons some still fume over his selection are the very reasons to be excited about his fit with the team. And that is where McCloughan slips up.

Simpson may not pan out. He may pan out. He may rise to stardom over the course of his career. That's all to be determined. Peddling doom and gloom about Simpson's future is on par with Chicken Little claiming the sky is falling.

The Rams have stacked the deck for Simpson's success by loading up the coaching staff with quarterback whisperers. This is the same staff that has helped Stetson Bennett get back on track. Fans can be confident that Simpson will develop just fine.

Or, fans can take the unbacked claims of a former 49ers GM who has been out of the league for nearly 10 years. It's up to you.

As always, thanks for reading.

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