Ty Simpson, the 13th pick in the NFL Draft, has looked good in preseason, but it is looking more and more like he will be the Los Angeles Rams’ third-string quarterback to start the season. That is absolutely wild for a top-half first-round pick, but after Saturday’s 34-0 shutout win over the Saints, it seems all but solidified that Simpson will be behind both Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett IV.
Stetson Bennett IV Is Making a Statement
The Rams are hunting for a new primary backup with Jimmy Garoppolo still a free agent, and Stetson Bennett IV is straight-up owning the job. He got the start against the Saints, just like he did last week ahead of Simpson. Reports from camp have been saying Bennett is clearly ahead, and his performance on Saturday only cranked up that lead. Bennett was balling out in the first half, even running for two touchdowns to help give the Rams a 17-0 lead. He was safe and efficient with his passes for most of the half, taking what the Saints’ defense gave him. Then, in the two-minute drill, he just opened it up, hitting passes for 11, 20, 17, 11, and 9 yards to get the Rams inside the 10-yard line. They settled for a field goal, but Bennett finished the day having completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards. He did enough to make the Rams feel real confident about him being Stafford’s backup.
What This Means For Ty Simpson’s Rookie Year
Simpson did get his shot against the Saints, though a pick-six for 100 yards by the Rams’ defense kept his offense off the field for most of the third quarter and limited his attempts. Even with the reduced opportunities, Simpson looked good again. He went 8 of 12 for 73 yards, showing he knows exactly where to go with the ball and how to get it out fast. There weren’t a ton of splash plays, but the Rams gotta be pleased with what they saw. Here’s the kicker: the Rams have Super Bowl hopes this season. Most teams taking a quarterback in the first round don’t already have the reigning NFL MVP in Matthew Stafford, and Simpson was picked for the future. It’s usually a given that a first-round quarterback plays right away or gets a shot sometime during the season. Getting some playing time in August is good for Simpson, because all signs point to this potentially being a redshirt season for him. He’s clearly a talent, but for now, it’s Bennett’s job to lose.
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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