Ty Simpson, the Rams’ first-round rookie QB, absolutely lit up the preseason, becoming arguably the NFL’s biggest star before the regular season even began. Forget the rest, this kid was the talk of the league. He’s a quarterback, a first-round pick, and a rookie, and his box score results were clean compared to a guy like Fernando Mendoza. Incompletions? Yeah, a few, but relatively scarce. But you know how it is: the box score only tells one story. The film, that’s where the real truth lives.
Simpson’s Film Shines: That “Dip and Run” Is REAL
Dive into Simpson’s film from his third and final preseason start against the Chargers on August 27, and you see why the hype train left the station. Former NFL quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan broke it all down, and honestly, you gotta give Simpson his due. We’re talking play recognition and arm strength that don’t always jump out in a simple 6-yard completion stat. What about that 8-yard run? Doesn’t sound like much, but that’s where his “dip and run” elusiveness shows up, extending plays that a veteran like Matthew Stafford probably couldn’t. This kid’s got some real tools, and he even threw a touchdown to Brennan Presley, showing off what he can do when he connects.
Hold Up: The Film Also Shows What Needs Fixing
Now, for the flip side, because if you’re gonna welcome the good, you gotta take the bad, right? That same film breakdown by O’Sullivan also digs into some mechanical stuff: subpar footwork and other issues that could hold Simpson back from being a truly great starter until he irons them out. These are the kinds of things that likely led to some of those errant throws we saw. And sometimes, he just missed or overlooked better options, choosing different receivers or perhaps going with what the coaches called for. It’s a fair analysis, and honestly, Rams fans shouldn’t be losing confidence. These are the exact types of constructive critiques Simpson will be getting when he breaks down film with the L.A. coaching staff. Plus, you see players like C.J. Daniels and Max Klare, who at times seemed to take options away from Simpson more than they were helping him.
This isn’t about crushing confidence, it’s about cold, hard development. Simpson clearly has the flashes of brilliance that made him a first-round pick. But that film also lays bare the areas he needs to grind on to become the great starter the Rams want him to be. This is his journey, and the work starts now.
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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