Wesley Bailey played only two snaps against the Chargers, and Nick Andersen saw just eight in Saturday’s preseason win. But don’t let those low numbers fool you: if Sean McVay’s historical patterns hold true, those two undrafted free agents are probably making the final 53-man roster. This isn’t about getting cut; it’s about being locked in already.
McVay’s Master Plan: Less is More?
It sounds wild, right? You’d think more snaps mean a better chance to impress, but McVay operates differently. Historically, the less he wants to see of a player in preseason, the better their chances are. This strategy leaves him with very few unknown bubble decisions. A week ago, we saw players held out entirely or benched after the first game, and by all accounts, every single one of those decisions indicated a player was making the roster, with the exception of cornerback Zech McPhearson who was released due to injury. McVay’s got his guys, and he doesn’t need to risk them in August.
Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some surprising names on the bubble who might get the axe, like Stetson Bennett and wide receiver C.J. Daniels, who put up 5 receptions for 42 yards against the Chargers. Fans really wanted to see running back Jarquez Hunter get a shot over Ronnie Rivers, but McVay stood firm on Rivers because of “trust.” Then, bam! Hunter was traded to the Dolphins for Tutu Atwell, clearing the way for Rivers and opening the door for Atwell to make the roster from out of left field, a spot Daniels was thought to occupy. It’s a cutthroat business out there, and McVay isn’t messing around.
Fighting For Every Snap: Who’s Still On The Bubble?
While Bailey and Andersen were riding the bench to secure their spots, a whole crew of guys were out there grinding for their careers. McVay clearly wanted to see a lot from players still fighting for a roster spot. Per PFF, here are some key defensive snap decisions against the Chargers: linebacker Nikhai Green-Hill got 49 snaps, edge rusher Tomon Fox played 45, cornerback AZ Hamilton saw 42, edge rusher Darryl Peterson got 42, cornerback Cam Lampkin played 36, and defensive tackles Bill Norton (30), Payton Zdroik (27), Larrell Murchison (26), and Tim Keenan (24) all got significant time. These guys are fighting tooth and nail, unlike Bailey and Andersen who are basically already in the club.
Think about it: 21 defensive players were held out of the game against the Saints last week, not counting McPhearson. Add in Andersen and Bailey, and that’s 23 defensive players who look good for the roster. There aren’t many more spots than that on a typical defensive roster, maybe two more. On offense, guys like offensive tackles AJ Arcuri, Austin Blaske, Bryce Henderson, and guard Wyatt Bowles all played 74 snaps. Wide receiver Brennan Presley got 53, quarterback Ty Simpson 48, and tight end Max Klare 41. Even running back Dean Connors got 3 snaps. Every single one of those decisions was a test, a signal from McVay on who he’s still evaluating.
With final roster cuts looming, every snap McVay orchestrated was a clue for what’s to come. Now, the wait begins for the official 53-man roster. Who makes the cut? Who gets left out? We’ll know soon enough.
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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