Sean McVay laid it out crystal clear on Tuesday: either Stetson Bennett or rookie Ty Simpson will be the Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback for Week 1’s opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. This might sound like a simple statement, but it’s a bombshell declaration that few saw coming all summer, especially given Simpson’s widely perceived “low” chances of grabbing that job.
The Rams’ Unexpected Backup Battle Takes Center Stage
This ain’t some casual sideline chatter, folks. This is Sean McVay, the Rams head coach, dropping a definitive statement that throws everything we thought we knew about their quarterback depth chart right out the window. For months, the buzz was that rookie Ty Simpson’s chances of actually being the backup were practically non-existent. But now? McVay’s saying that despite Simpson not exactly setting the world on fire in his second preseason game, the kid could absolutely snag that job. Honestly, Ty Simpson should be the favorite here, and Bennett should be looking for a new team, whether that’s via a trade or a cut. McVay did confirm the Rams will carry three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, reiterating that one of Stetson Bennett IV or Ty Simpson “will be the backup in Australia.” He even added, “We feel fortunate that you got two guys that we believe in, feel really good about.”
The Stetson Bennett Question Looms Large
While McVay expresses belief in both, he never explicitly committed to Bennett being one of those three quarterbacks. And carrying Bennett as a third quarterback, especially in his fourth year when he’s apparently not good enough to be the backup, just seems, well, strange. What’s the ultimate goal there? While everyone’s focused on these two, don’t forget about Matthew Caldwell, an undrafted free agent who’s about to make his preseason debut against the Los Angeles Chargers. We’re going to get another look at Simpson in that game too, which is huge for this whole puzzle. McVay hasn’t even decided if Bennett will suit up for that game, leaving even more questions hanging in the air about how this roster and depth chart will truly shake out. We know Matthew Stafford and Simpson are locked in, and the team will carry three QBs. The rest, though? Still a total mystery.
The Rams are still working through this backup QB dilemma, with their next preseason outing against the L.A. Chargers offering another chance to see Ty Simpson and Matthew Caldwell in action. This game could be pivotal for Bennett’s future. Meanwhile, our own Seattle Seahawks battled hard but came up short on the road, falling to the Tennessee Titans 16-19 in a tough one. Keep your heads up, 12s, it’s a long season, and there’s plenty more to come!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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