Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson, the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, finished a preseason that screamed ‘future starter,’ but all signs point to him riding the pine for a redshirt season. Talk about a curveball! This dude lit it up, yet he’s staring down a third-string spot. Are we really going to stash a guy with these numbers?
Simpson Showed Up and Showed Out
Look, Simpson’s numbers this preseason weren’t just good, they were flat-out efficient. In his final outing, he played a half and completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. That’s a solid day! And remember his first game? Against the Chiefs, he slung it for 21 of 25 completions, 190 yards, and two scores. When you add it all up, he finished the preseason completing 47 of 60 passes, a ridiculous 78.3 percent, for 382 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Zero! The dude protected the ball and moved it.
He demonstrated quick reads, dropping short passes with awesome timing and accuracy. There was even a stretch where he completed 12 of his first 13 passes in the finale, though mostly for less than 10 yards. And that best play? Evading pressure, escaping the pocket, turning his body while on the move, and hitting Brennan Presley for a touchdown. That’s pure athleticism right there, making you wonder why he wouldn’t be higher on the depth chart.
The Curious Case of the Third-String Phenom
So, with that kind of production, why is the No. 13 overall pick apparently ticketed for third-string duties? It’s wild to think he’ll be behind both Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett IV to start the season. Bennett, in particular, seems to have locked up that backup gig, given Simpson got the start in the finale while the other two rested. It’s super rare for a QB drafted this high to be buried that deep on the depth chart. You just don’t see it often.
Sure, there’s a next step for him. He needs to start taking smart chances downfield when they pop up. And yeah, there were some missed opportunities in the red zone for the offense that weren’t entirely his fault, but didn’t help his case. Like when they got the ball at the Chargers’ 14-yard line after a fumble and only scraped together five yards and a field goal. Or driving all the way to the 1-yard line only to get stuffed on consecutive runs. Those drives ending in touchdowns would have painted an even prettier picture for his case.
Still, Simpson’s overall preseason performance gives the Rams’ staff plenty to chew on for that No. 2 quarterback job. Maybe not now, but definitely soon. So, while we might not see Ty Simpson under center much this year, those flashes are undeniable. He’s got the goods, folks. Keep an eye on how his development goes. Will he force their hand and jump into that backup spot sooner than anyone expects?
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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