Ty Simpson just dropped a 125.0 QBR, the kind of number that makes you double-take, especially for a rookie in his first NFL action. That performance powered the Los Angeles Rams to a 20-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead, marking Simpson as the only Rams quarterback in preseason history to hit that benchmark en route to a win. The kid out of Alabama is already showing he’s here to play, and he just put the league on notice.
The 40-Yard Bomb That Flipped the Field
Man, that fourth quarter in Arrowhead was absolutely electric. With 72,451 Chiefs fans roaring, Xavier Smith stood firm at his own 37-yard line, waiting for a punt that had swallowed lesser men before. Not Smith. He hauled it in, cut left, then right, and ripped off a massive 40-yard return that planted the Rams deep in Kansas City territory at the 23. The sideline erupted, and you could feel the whole afternoon tilt. Rams coach Sean McVay saw it, too. He said, “I thought that was kind of the momentum flip of the game. We got the defensive stop, have a big return by Xavier Smith, and then ultimately were able to hit Dean Connors on the screen.” Three plays after that monster return, Simpson flicked his wrist, and Dean Connors caught the screen pass, read the block perfectly, cut inside the tackle, and plowed his way to the pylon for a touchdown. Just like that, the score pushed to 12-9, and the fourth quarter belonged to the visitors.
Rookie Ty Simpson’s Backyard Bounce Back
But the real story doesn’t even start with that touchdown. It starts with Simpson, the rookie quarterback, refusing to let a shaky beginning define his game. After a three-and-out punt on his first drive, Simpson locked in. He completed eight consecutive passes by the time the fourth quarter arrived. Eight! Against a Kansas City defense that, even playing their 2s and 3s, still rocks the same jersey as Patrick Mahomes. Simpson finished the day 21 of 25 for 190 yards, throwing both his touchdowns to Connors. That 190 passing yards total is the most for any quarterback in the 2026 preseason, which is just insane. The kid felt it too: “I definitely felt more comfortable than I ever had coming into a game, but I also didn’t know what to expect. Once that first drive kind of got done with I was like, all right, like yeah, this is just like playing in the backyard in Martin.” He even showed serious composure in the second quarter, handling a high snap by simply throwing it into the third row, avoiding a disastrous turnover. This isn’t just talent, it’s poise.
The Rams’ special teams and offense are looking seriously sharp early on. Kicker Harrison Mevis, the “Thicker Kicker,” was perfect, drilling both his field goals, including a 40-yarder, and both extra points. His left-footed stroke was steady as a metronome. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. Keep your eyes glued to Simpson and this Rams squad as they keep rolling through early action. You’re not going to want to miss what this rookie does next.
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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