Stetson Bennett finished dead last among all offensive players who saw action in the Los Angeles Rams’ first Pro Football Focus grades of the 2026 season. After the Rams secured an exhibition victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, PFF’s objective analysis of player performance dropped, and it painted a concerning picture for the veteran quarterback.
Bennett’s Rough Start vs. Simpson’s Sparkle
Bennett’s performance was, well, anemic, to put it mildly. He posted an average depth of target (ADOT) of just 3.2 yards, significantly lower than Ty Simpson’s 5.3 yards. Even worse, the veteran was credited with two missed throws on only six attempts, and he was pressured just once. It is a tough look for Bennett, especially when rookie first-round quarterback Ty Simpson was out there playing an immaculately clean game. Simpson took 25 of LA’s 31 total dropbacks, finishing with a 91.3% adjusted completion rate. He completed 21 of 25 passes (84.0%) for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Simpson currently ranks third among all 2026 rookie quarterbacks in PFF grading, sitting behind Carson Beck of the Cardinals and Drew Allar of the Steelers. He is second in yards behind Joe Fagnano of the Ravens and tied for the lead in touchdowns. Simpson got more aggressive as the game progressed, increasing his true drop backs as well. It really makes you wonder if this quarterback battle is already over after just one preseason game.
Other Offensive Standouts in the Early Grades
While the QB situation is grabbing all the headlines, some other Rams offensive players got off to solid starts. Rookie undrafted free agent Austin Blaske, a left guard out of North Carolina, snagged the top offensive grade with an 80.9. He played all 54 offensive snaps and earned his best marks in run blocking (80.3) and pass protection (76.9). Brennan Presley, a wide receiver who led LA in receiving yards with 58 on four receptions, got a 79.6 grade. Presley, a preseason star from last season, really excelled after the catch, racking up 39 yards after the catch point and averaging 9.8 yards after the catch. Beaux Limmer, at right guard, wasn’t far behind with a 74.4 grade, performing particularly well in pass blocking at 84.4. Tight end Mark Redman also made the top five, catching all three of his targets for 47 yards.
With two exhibition games remaining, the performance gap between Bennett and Simpson is definitely something to keep an eye on. Simpson’s debut set a high bar, and Bennett’s struggles mean he has a lot to prove if he wants to stay in the conversation. The team has some work ahead to solidify the depth chart, and these early PFF grades are just the first shot across the bow.
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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