Following the conclusion of training camp at LMU, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirms his preseason plan for Ty Simpson.
The Los Angeles Rams have finished training camp at LMU and now shift gears to begin preparation for the preseason, where many players will have an opportunity to earn roster spots and position battles may become clearer.
Speaking of the preseason, head coach Sean McVay talked to the media and said that Ty Simpson will "definitely" play in the first preseason game. On the other hand, McVay is still undecided as to whether or not Stetson Bennett IV will play.
Looking ahead to the Rams' first preseason game, they will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Arrowhead at 4 PM EST on Saturday, Aug. 15.
With Simpson for sure going to play, and Bennett potentially not playing, that does beg the question as to where the backup quarterback battle does stand at this point and if preseason performances will change McVay's decision.
At this point, Bennett does seem to be in a good position to win the job, as he received a bulk of the reps deeper into camp and did appear to perform quite well in those opportunities. However, Simpson did show some flashes in his opportunities, which he will need to do a lot more of if he wants to have a real shot at being the backup quarterback.
Regardless of where the battle stands now, there is still plenty of time for either Bennett or Simpson to win the job. Even so, it is critical for Los Angeles to figure out who is best suited to back up 2025 MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford in case an injury prevents him from playing.
Getting back to next Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs, it will be interesting to see if Bennett does play and if that means that Bennett and Simpson split reps as well as which of them would start.
Additionally, it is worth wondering what weapons will be available for the Rams' quarterbacks. The usual case for teams is to get rookies and backups in as much as possible, meaning wide receiver CJ Daniels and tight end Max Klare could be featured plenty.
Whether or not Simpson has the help of his fellow rookies in Klare and Daniels, his ability to operate in and out of the huddle as well as process the defense will go a long way in helping him prove that he is NFL-ready.
Even if Simpson does play well, Bennett has a three-year advantage in terms of experience in McVay's system. Only time will tell how much of a factor Bennett's experience plays a role in who wins the backup quarterback job.
Heading into next week's preseason opener, Simpson's ability to take advantage of this opportunity could lead to a bigger role in 2026 and beyond.
