Sports
New Rams QB Ty Simpson reveals pre-draft meeting with Sean McVay
Apr 24, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson speaks to media during a press conference at Code Next at Hollywood Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images After being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, quarterback Ty Simpson downplayed his pre-draft interaction with the team, calling it “really brief.”
The ex-Alabama signal-caller admitted Monday that the communication was far more extensive, as he had a private meeting with Rams coach Sean McVay.
The Rams already have Matthew Stafford, 38, as their starting QB, but they chose Simpson for a long-term view.
Simpson said Monday on ESPN Radio’s “Amber & Ian” of his pre-draft communication with McVay, “We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could. It was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn’t want people to know that they were interested.
“So, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody.”
The discussion lasted “hours and hours,” according to Simpson, “and it was just football. It was just straight football. And it was like a kid in a candy store. Me and him are sitting there, and we’re just going back and forth. You can tell the obsession he has for the game, and you can tell the love he has for quarterback play.
“It’s something that I appreciate, and it’s something that I enjoy because I really enjoy playing the position and value the position. So, being with him and then getting to know him and then just seeing a little bit of how I would get coached if I was fortunate enough to go there was something that I couldn’t have asked for a better situation.”
McVay was viewed by some analysts as portraying a negative vibe in interviews after the Rams chose Simpson with the No. 13 overall selection. He said, “Let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team.”
The next day, though he said he “couldn’t be more excited about being able to add (Simpson).”
On Saturday, McVay added about the team’s quarterback situation, “Whenever that time comes for (Simpson) to get an opportunity to be Matthew’s successor will be on Matthew’s terms.”
Simpson said Thursday of the pairing with Stafford, “It’s something that I cherish, being in the same room as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a guy who is so smart like (McVay). We watched his film all the time when I was at ‘Bama, all the stuff they did. … So the fact that I get to be in a room and soak up all that knowledge, I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Mets scratch RHP Freddy Peralta ahead of trade deadline
Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images The New York Mets scratched veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta from his scheduled start against the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday, the New York Post reported.
Per the report, Peralta has attracted interest from other teams ahead of Monday’s trade deadline (6 p.m. ET).
The reported move also comes on the heels of the last-place Mets trading left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.
Peralta, 30, is 5-9 with 4.99 ERA in 22 appearances (all starts) this season. He is in the final season of his contract.
The Mets’ Opening Day starter, Peralta lasted at least six innings just six times in 22 starts. His ERA is almost twice as high as last season, when he led the NL with 17 wins and posted a 2.70 ERA.
“I know so far that I’ve let them down,” Peralta said following his start on Sunday, when he didn’t factor into the decision after allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do.”
The Mets, in the cellar in the National League East, hold the second-worst record (47-63) in the NL ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (42-67).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brewers acquire C Bo Naylor, RHP Codi Heuer from Guardians
Apr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) is tagged out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) while attempting to score from third base on a ground ball in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Bo Naylor and right-hander Codi Heuer from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in exchange for outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Craig Yoho.
The move comes two days before the major-league trade deadline on Monday (6 p.m. ET).
Naylor, 26, is batting just .143 with two homers and seven RBIs in 28 games this season for the Guardians.
He is a career .199 hitter with 40 homers and 125 RBIs in 346 games since being selected by Cleveland with the 29th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Heuer, 30, is 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in eight relief appearances this season.
He is 10-5 with three saves and a 3.76 ERA in 97 career appearances with five different teams.
Perkins, 29, is batting .157 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 55 games this season.
He is a career .223 hitter with 14 homers and 93 RBIs in 297 games with the Brewers
Yoho, 26, is 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 appearances this season.
He has the same record with a 4.40 ERA since being selected by Milwaukee in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
–Field Level Media
Sports
DeAndre Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as assistant WRs coach
Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after making a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins has been hired as an assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech.
Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key made the announcement on Friday for Hopkins, who auditioned for a coaching role last week with the New England Patriots.
“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all-time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that,” Key said in a statement. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due to his long relationship with (offensive coordinator) George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”
Despite his foray into coaching, Hopkins took to social media to note that his playing career isn’t done.
“I Haven’t retired from the @NFL … But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to @GeorgiaTechFB,” Hopkins wrote on X on Saturday morning.
Hopkins, 34, recorded just 22 catches for 330 yards in 17 games (three starts) last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
He has totaled 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdown catches in 195 NFL games (172 starts).
Hopkins has seven career 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has caught over 100 passes four times. He earned first-team All-Pro honors three straight years (2017-19).
Hopkins spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons with Arizona before being released, and he also played with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.
–Field Level Media
Report: Mets scratch RHP Freddy Peralta ahead of trade deadline
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