Stafford, Simpson and a QB-in-waiting dilemma: McVay must be 'careful' | Opinion

Sean McVay doesn’t dispute that in the aftermath of the first-round selection of quarterback Ty Simpson on Thursday night his reserved body language wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from the high-energyLos Angeles Ramscoach.

As he described later, he surelygave off a “grumpy” vibeduring the draft night press conference.

Yet his disposition, McVay explained, was more about his MVP quarterback, Matthew Stafford, than it was to reflect that he wasn’t in agreement with GM Les Snead in drafting the Alabama product with the 13th pick overall.

No matter. Amid super-hyped coverage of the NFL draft, McVay quickly found himself in damage-control mode as reaction spread.

“Totally overblown,” McVay wrote of the reaction in a text to USA TODAY Sports.

McVay maintained he is “very excited” about the pick of Simpson but had a key reason to curb enthusiasm: “Was being careful not to be disrespectful to Matthew,” he said.

I’ll take McVay at his word on this, given the delicate balance that in some cases must be navigated when a team with an established quarterback drafts an heir apparent.

No, Simpson hardly poses a threat at this point to Stafford, 38, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams and just won NFL MVP honors for the first time in his career. And Stafford doesn’t strike me as the over-sensitive type.

Yet McVay knows. These situations can get a bit sticky. The coach is joined at the hip with his quarterback, their chemistry is essential as L.A. ranks among the favorites to reach Super Bowl 61 in February.

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More:Ranking Ty Simpson, 9 other QBs picked in NFL draft by fit with new teams

Stafford, in talks to extend an $84 million contract that has a year remaining, may turn out to be the perfect, cordial mentor for Simpson. McVay insists that whenever Stafford retires, he will do it on his own terms. So, no need for controversy. Easy does it.

Still, NFL history tells us it’s not always smooth between star quarterback and projected successor. Case in point: Brett Favre was hardly accommodating during the early 2000s when thePackersselected Aaron Rodgers with a first-round pick. Rodgers was much more of a mentor when Jordan Love came along in 2020.

A generation ago, Joe Montana was miffed when the 49ers traded for Steve Young, who ultimately replaced the three-time Super Bowl MVP after Montana’s long-term elbow injury surfaced in 1991 and opened the door. And three years before that, Montana was benched for a game and replaced by Young, which ignited tension that never subsided for the rest of Montana’s tenure in San Francisco.

Ironically, McVay’s late grandfather, John, was the 49ers GM and for a significant portion of that period was Bill Walsh’s right-hand man.

More recently, the Falcons had a mess on their hands when they drafted Michael Penix, Jr. eighth overall in 2024 – weeks after luring Kirk Cousins to Atlanta with a $180 million contract. In one regard, there was nothing outlandish about then-GM Terry Fontenot’s decision to draft a promising young quarterback, stocking up for the future.

The problem, though, was that the Falcons never bothered to tell Cousins that they might draft a quarterback. Cousins didn’t find out until Atlanta was on the clock to select Penix. Not good. Seems like that would have been standard courtesy, even if Cousins (who wound up starting 24 games over two seasons) was already guaranteed $100 million.

Which reminds me of a case in 2017 that involved Sean Payton and Drew Brees. The Saints were set to draft Patrick Mahomes with the 11th pick overall. And Payton was sure to share the plan with Brees, who also happened to be visiting the team’s draft headquarters during the draft.

Then Andy Reid & Co. wrecked the plan. The Chiefs swung a huge trade with the Bills – which included giving up a No. 1 pick in 2018 and a third-round pick in 2027 – to move up from 27th in the first round to 10th, jumping one spot ahead of the Saints. New Orleans wound up drafting cornerback Marshon Lattimore with the 11th pick. And there were no hard feelings with Brees, who went on to play four more seasons to finish his Hall of Fame career. Yet a different type of history for all parties was right there to be written.

In the Rams case, McVay was wise to amplify his stance on Stafford, just in case anyone needs to hear it. Or see it.

Contact Bell atjbell@usatoday.comor follow on X: @JarrettBell

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sean McVay's reaction to Ty Simpson NFL draft pick about respect – and history

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April 28, 2026

Stafford, Simpson and a QB-in-waiting dilemma: McVay must be 'careful' | Opinion

Sean McVay doesn’t dispute that in the aftermath of the first-round selection of quarterback Ty Simpson on Thursday night his reserved ...

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WHCA dinner shooting live updates: Suspect planned to target multiple people

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and other dignitaries are safe after ashooting incidentoutside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Saturday night at the Washington, D.C., Hilton hotel.

The incident took place near the main magnetometer screening area at the event, according to the Secret Service. A suspect, whom law enforcement authorities identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, California, is in custody, officials said.

A Secret Service agent who was wearing an armored vest was struck in the chest, President Trump said at a press briefing following the incident. The Secret Service agent suffered non life-threatening injuries, according to the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. No one else was injured in the incident.

A motive for the attack was not immediately known.

Latest Developments

Apr 26, 1:45 PMSuspected shooter 'sought to assassinate the president,' Leavitt says

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the suspected shooter at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Association dinner intended to kill President Donald Trump."What was supposed to be a fun night at the @WHCA dinner with President Trump delivering jokes and celebrating free speech was hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the President and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible," Leavitt wrote in apost on XSunday.

"I was with President Trump and the First Lady back stage after we were quickly ushered to safety by Secret Service. President Trump was truly fearless, but as he said last night, this political violence needs to end," Leavitt wrote."Thank you to law enforcement for keeping all of us safe, including the brave agent who took a bullet to the chest and immediately moved to neutralize the shooter. Pray for our country," the post concluded.

Apr 26, 11:54 AMHandwritten notes found in hotel room of WHCA dinner shooting suspect, per law enforcement sources

Handwritten notes found in the hotel room of the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting Saturday appear to have been left with the intent that officials would find them, according to multiple law enforcement sources.Sources tell ABC News that the suspect, Cole Allen, allegedly made brief statements to law enforcement officials after his arrest that he was focusing on Trump administration officials, and that he allegedly indicated that authorities would be able to find his thoughts in written form.

Sources say early evidence suggests that Allen's plans were to target as many people as possible in a mass shooting.According to law enforcement sources, the alleged writings expressed a distaste for the Trump administration and also for Washington, D.C., elites.Other similar writings were found in Allen's California home, sources told ABC News.-ABC News' Jack Date, Pierre Thomas, Luke Barr, Aaron Katersky, Josh Margolin, and Katherine Faulders

Apr 26, 9:34 AM'The system worked,' Acting Attorney General Blanche says

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that "the system worked" and kept President Donald Trump and other leaders safe from the shooting Saturday night at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner that they were attending."The system worked; law enforcement and the Secret Service protected all of us. The man barely got past the perimeter. And so when you have a perimeter designed to keep people safe, like President Trump, and it works – that's something that should be applauded,"Blanche told"This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Blanche said the suspect, whom law enforcement has identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen from Torrance, Calif., was likely acting alone, although investigations are ongoing.

"We believe that he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then Chicago to Washington, D.C.," Blanche said.Asked how the suspect may have gotten a firearm into the hotel, Blanche replied, "It's a good question. And listen, I'm not sure. It appears that he checked in on the 24th [of April] to the hotel, and we're still looking at video surveillance and footage of where he walked and how he got in and how those firearms got in, but at the end of the day, I expect we'll have a lot more about that in the coming days."

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim

Apr 26, 8:31 AMSuspect Cole Allen held by DC police ahead of Monday court appearance

Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting, is being held in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department's Third District after being released from an area hospital overnight, according to law enforcement sources.Allen is expected to appear in court on Monday.A Secret Service Uniformed Division officer was also treated and released overnight from a different area hospital, according to sources.-ABC News' Jack Date

Apr 26, 7:56 AMKing Charles reaches out to Trump after WHCA incident, royal source says

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Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla reached out to President Donald Trump following the incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, according to a royal source."Their Majesties have reached out privately to The President and First Lady to express their sympathies with all those affected on the night and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury," a royal source told ABC News.

The king and queen are scheduled to arrive on Monday in Washington, where they’ll be hosted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump for a state visit, according to the White House.ABC News' Zoe Magee

Apr 26, 6:23 AMWorld leaders begin expressing solidarity after WHCA incident

International leaders expressed their shock and pledged their solidarity with the White House early on Sunday, after a suspectallegedly exchanged gunfirewith authorities outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner."I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington overnight," British Prime Minister Keir Starmersaidin a statement. "Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."He added that it was a "huge relief" that both Trump and first lady Melania Trump, along with the other attendees, were safe after the event.

The suspect’s alleged actions were condemned by members of the governments ofKuwait,Pakistan, theUnited Arab Emiratesand a host of other countries.French President Emmanuel Macrondecriedthe incident, saying, "The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump.""No political hatred can find space in our democracies," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonisaid. "We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information. The defense of the culture of confrontation must remain the insurmountable bulwark against every intolerant drift, to safeguard the values that found our Nations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ina statementreleased by his office that he was "shocked" by the event, but glad the president and first lady "were safe and strong.""We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action," Netanyahu said, according to his office.Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, sent Trump a cable after the incident, according tohis office."And President Aoun expressed in his cable full solidarity with President Trump in the face of such regrettable events that target security and stability, affirming his strong condemnation of acts of violence in all their forms, and wishing that the United States of America enjoys security and safety," Aoun’s office said.

Apr 26, 2:56 AMWHCA dinner brings back memories of Butler shooting, White House deputy chief of staff says

The chaos that erupted at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner after a suspect charged a security checkpoint brought back memories of the shooting at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a White House deputy chief of staff said early on Sunday.

"Never thought I’d be hitting the ground again after Butler, Pennsylvania, as a result of shots being fired," Dan Scavino Jr., the deputy,saidon social media. "Brings back a lot of terrible memories -- I am so thankful that everyone in attendance tonight is okay. We’re all in this together, stay strong!"

A gunman fired a barrage of shots at then-candidate Donald Trump in anapparent assassination attemptat a campaign rally in the Pennsylvania city in July 2024.

Apr 26, 2:34 AMLaw enforcement gathers near address in Torrance, California

Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and members of a SWAT team, were gathering late on Saturday near an address in Torrance, California, thought to be associated with the suspect.

Authorities earlier identified Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner incident, as a resident of Torrance, a city southwest of Los Angeles.

Apr 26, 2:16 AMSecret Service 'performed admirably,' director says

The director of the Secret Service praised his staff's response during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner incident, saying they "performed admirably.""Tonight we saw exactly what our brave men and women do each and every day to protect our protectees," Director Sean M. Curran said ina statementreleased by the service. "It’s not easy and I will tell you that they performed admirably. We got to see what they do."

The suspect's apprehension at a checkpoint "shows that our multi-layered protection works," he said, adding, "And I’m grateful to our partners that help assist us with building these sites and protecting these sites."Deputy Director Matthew Quinn also releaseda statement, saying that "a coward attempted to create a national tragedy.""He underestimated the protective capabilites of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact," Quinn added. "The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead. Grateful for the brave men and women of the Secret Service and our valued Law Enforecment partners."

Apr 26, 12:30 AMShooting suspect identified as Cole Allen, according to authorities

The suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooting has been identified as Cole Allen from Torrance, California, according to authorities.According to law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation, the suspect is believed to have booked a room in the Hilton in early April.He is declining to answer questions but allegedly made some reference to targeting administration officials but was not specific, the officials said.He mentioned that he is a tutor in California, according to officials.-ABC News' Pierre Thomas, Luke Barr, Katherine Faulders and Josh Margolin

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April 28, 2026

WHCA dinner shooting live updates: Suspect planned to target multiple people

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and other dignitaries are safe after ashooting incidentoutside the White House Corresp...

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Missed field goal by Younghoe Koo saved this Thoroughbred trainer's life

Thoroughbred trainer Mark Toothaker credits a missed field goal by then-New York GiantskickerYounghoe Koowith saving his life.

Toothaker − a stallion sales manager for Spenthift Farm, whose horse Further Ado is set to compete in the152nd Kentucky Derby−told the Associated Presshe was watching Monday Night Football in December 2025 when Koo's missed field goal against the New England Patriots struck him as so comical that he burst into laughter, only to unexpectedly suffer a seizure.

His wife, Malory, a nurse at a rehabilitation hospital who specializes in brain injuries, initially thought he was joking, but quickly called for emergency assistance. At the hospital, a CT scan revealed a tennis ball-sized brain tumor, which could have otherwise gone undetected.

After surgeons successfully removed the benign brain tumor, Toothaker returned home within a week, filled with gratitude for the unlikely chain of events that led to its discovery. The missed field goal, he now says, was nothing short of a blessing in disguise.

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“The kicker saved my life because it could’ve happened any other time,” Toothaker said. “I wholeheartedly believe I was in the right spot at the right time, and he was the trigger for that happening. It was a miracle.”

Spenthift’sFurther Adoenters this year's Run for the Roses with 6-1 odds and will break from the No. 18 post position at Churchill Downs.

2026Kentucky Derby:Everything to know for first leg of Triple Crown

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kentucky man credits a missed kick by Younghoe Koo for saving his life

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April 28, 2026

Missed field goal by Younghoe Koo saved this Thoroughbred trainer's life

Thoroughbred trainer Mark Toothaker credits a missed field goal by then-New York GiantskickerYounghoe Koowith saving his life. Too...

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Teen trapped for 20 years on indefinite jail term should have served 18 months, judges rule

A teenager who spent almost two decades trapped in prison on anindefinite jail termshould have only received an 18-month sentence, judges have ruled.

Jay Davis is among six prisoners jailed as teenagers and young men whoseindefinite sentenceshave been quashed by the Court of Appeal in a major win for those battling the injustice ofimprisonment for public protection(IPP) jail terms.

He was 19 when he was handed anIPP sentencefor possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence in October 2006. He was given a minimum tariff of just nine months, but served nearly 20 years without release under the controversial sentence.

However, appeal judges last week replaced hisindefinite sentencewith an 18-month fixed sentence, which would have seen him freed some 18 years ago.

IPP jail terms were abolished in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands of prisoners like Davislanguishingindefinitely until the Parole Board approved their release. Others have found themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of recall to prison, often for breaches of strict licence conditions.

Almost 2,400 are still trapped on the jail terms, which have been described as “psychological torture” by the United Nations. This includes many who were children at the time of their offence and handed a type ofIPP sentencefor under-18s called a detention for public protection (DPP) jail term.

Almost 100 have taken their own lives in prison after losing hope of getting out; however, successive governments have resisted calls to resentence all remaining IPP prisoners.

In recent months, appeal courts have begun to overturn sentences for cases in which the sentencing judge failed to take the offender’s age or immaturity into account.

Other sentences overturned last week include Benjamin Hibbert, who was handed a DPP with a two-year minimum tariff in 2009 for three counts of sexual assault committed when he was 15 or 16. His sentence was quashed, although his case was adjourned further pending reports to decide his substitute sentence.

Stuart O’Neill, who was handed an IPP sentence aged 20 in 2009 with a minimum term of three and a half years for rape, had his sentence overturned. It was replaced with an extended sentence of eight years in prison and eight years on licence.

The three cases were flagged by the miscarriages of justice watchdog, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, as part of a major review of IPP and DPP sentences handed to young people.

The commission’s chair, Dame Vera Baird, said investigators are looking at more than 150 other cases.

“All the men were very young at the time they were sentenced and have spent many years beyond their original tariffs in custody,” she said.

“The court’s judgments reflect the importance of properly considering age and maturity when imposing sentences of this nature.

“We will continue to examine other IPP and DPP cases, and I encourage anyone who believes their sentence may have been affected – and who has exhausted their appeal rights – to apply to the commission.

“I hope today’s decision gives hope to the many families with loved ones who remain in prison way beyond their original tariff.”

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The Court of Appeal also quashed the sentences of Jerry Tolbert, Jordan Webster and Dawayne McLaren.

The CCRC has also announced it is referring the case ofLiam Bennett, who has spent more than half his life in prison after he was handed an IPP for starting a fire in the attic of an empty building aged 17, to appeal judges for review.

Pleading for his freedom in 2024, he toldThe Independent:“I have changed so much in 18 years, I have learnt so much, I’m confident I will take my chance with release and run with it.”

The CCRC launched their review in January after a string of indefinite sentences were overturned by the appeal courts, with eight of 12 cases’ previous appeals resulting in the sentences being quashed, reduced or substituted.

This includes the father of three,Leighton Williams, who was wrongly handed an IPP sentence with a 30-month tariff for a drunken fight at the age of 19.

He served almost 16 years under the sentence – mostly in custody – before it was quashed and replaced with a five-year determinate sentence two years ago. If he had served half of that time in custody, he would have been out of prison by the time he was 22.

Three appeal judges finally set him free on 9 May 2024, aged 36, after finding the original sentencing judge had wrongly counted a previous offence, committed when he was 17, against him.

After he was released, he toldThe Independentthe jail termhad robbed him of 16 years, adding: “I have missed out on growing up with my friends. Going out. Getting a trade, being able to work. Just living a normal life.

“I deserved to go to jail – I understand that. There is no doubt about that. But for the length of time – I don’t think you can justify that.”

In a similar ruling in October, Darren Hilling’s IPP sentence was quashed and substituted because the sentencing judge had failed to attach the necessary importance to his age and maturity when he committed his crime aged 21.

The rulings have set a precedent which could impact other IPP and DPP prisoners who were handed jail terms as teenagers or young men.

A spokesperson for United Group for Reform of IPP (Ungripp) welcomed the latest rulings, adding: “While we celebrate the freedom of these individuals—some of whom were sentenced as young adults and have spent decades in limbo – this ruling highlights the systemic failure of a sentence that remains a stain on the British justice system.

“These cases prove that many original IPP sentences were not only disproportionate but legally flawed.

“Despite being abolished in 2012, over 2,700 people remain subject to IPP sentences. This recent success in the Court of Appeal must act as a catalyst for the government to take decisive action. We call for an immediate review of all IPP cases involving those sentenced as young adults and a commitment to ending the trauma of indeterminate detention for good.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “It is right that IPP sentences were abolished. The decision to quash individual sentences is a matter for the courts.

“While public protection is our number one priority, we are working with organisations and campaign groups to support those still serving these sentences, including through access to mental health support and rehabilitation programmes.”

byNeo

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April 28, 2026

Teen trapped for 20 years on indefinite jail term should have served 18 months, judges rule

A teenager who spent almost two decades trapped in prison on anindefinite jail termshould have only received an 18-month sentence, judg...

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Trump jokes that his mom had a crush on King Charles drawing awkward laughter from monarch

Donald Trump joked that his mom used to have a crush on King Charles when he was younger, drawing an awkward chuckle from the British monarch.

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April 28, 2026

Trump jokes that his mom had a crush on King Charles drawing awkward laughter from monarch

Donald Trump joked that his mom used to have a crush on King Charles when he was younger, drawing an awkward chuckle from the British m...

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