Dude, you gotta hear about what Stetson Bennett just pulled off for the Rams. After a shaky start to the preseason, this guy absolutely exploded against the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 181 yards and rushing for two touchdowns in a blowout win. Talk about making a statement when it counts! That performance felt like a mic drop for the Rams’ backup quarterback battle.
The Preseason Grind: Simpson’s Surge and Bennett’s Response
Okay, so this backup QB battle for Matthew Stafford’s spot has been brewing for weeks, right? Bennett and Ty Simpson have been going at it, splitting reps in the preseason games. For a minute there, it really looked like Bennett, who’d reportedly been leading throughout camp, might be losing his grip. Simpson actually had a *marvelous performance* in his debut against Kansas City, and everyone was probably thinking, “Uh oh, new challenger in the house!” Bennett only played a single quarter in that opener, which probably didn’t do him any favors. But then came the Saints game. He got a full half of action, and man, he just *dazzled*. That kind of bounce-back, showing that kind of resilience and firepower, is exactly what you want to see from a guy fighting tooth and nail for a spot on the depth chart. It completely swung the momentum back his way.
McVay’s Unspoken Rule: The Finale Tells All
Now, heading into their final preseason game this week, the writing is practically on the wall. Gary Klein from the LA Times reported that Bennett is *still* getting those initial reps with the second-team offense during practice, while Simpson is working after him. That’s a pretty strong indicator right there. But here’s the real kicker, the one that pretty much seals it: Head Coach Sean McVay came out and explicitly stated Ty Simpson *will play* in the finale, but Bennett’s participation? That’s still “to be determined.” And if you know anything about McVay, you know this: he *historically doesn’t play his QB2* in the preseason finale. If Bennett ends up riding the pine, that’s not a benching; it’s McVay signaling, without saying it directly, that Stetson has locked down that crucial backup role. It’s also Bennett’s final year of his rookie contract, adding another layer of pressure and importance to solidifying this spot. Oh, and Matthew Caldwell, QB4, is also a candidate to play in that finale, but that’s a different story. Bennett even beat out Simpson for snaps during their joint practice against the Saints last week too, just another sign of his consistent lead.
So, as the Rams head into their last preseason game, the stakes are crystal clear for Simpson, who will get his reps, probably trying to prove he deserves a roster spot somewhere, maybe even QB3. But for Stetson Bennett, if he’s not out there taking hits in the finale, that’s the final confirmation. It looks like the brewing battle we’ve all been watching for weeks is finally, emphatically, over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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