Sean McVay made some serious waves last Saturday with who he put on the field and who he kept on the sidelines, and honestly, that’s the real story from the first preseason game. Forget the stats for most guys, because those decisions tell you *everything* about who’s actually fighting for a job. There might be a bunch of guys looking good, but only a handful are truly in contention. This ain’t about showing off, it’s about earning a spot, and McVay’s moves were the most impactful data point we got.
Backup Battles and Tackle Troubles
Let’s talk about the backup QB spot. It’s Stetson Bennett’s until it isn’t, right? The rookie Simpson definitely has that long-term security and draft position advantage. But here’s the kicker: if the rookie is already the better player, keeping Bennett around just doesn’t make sense. We desperately need a real bounce back from Bennett, either in that upcoming joint practice with the Saints or in Saturday’s preseason game. That could breathe some new life into his status, sure, but if Simpson proves his chops, Bennett is expendable. Just like some of us predicted months ago, that situation is real.
Then there’s the offensive tackle spot, and man, that’s got some drama. Alaric Jackson’s possible suspension and that recent injury to rookie Keagen Trost? That’s not good news, but it *does* create a massive opportunity for someone else to step up and win a job. Through just one week, that “someone else” seems to be Austin Blaske. He actually led the offense in PFF grades against the Chiefs, which is a fantastic sign. Even if Blaske nails down a roster spot, he should still slot in behind David Quessenberry and AJ Arcuri. Those two didn’t even play in the preseason opener, which totally signals they’re safe on the 53-man roster. No worries there, thankfully.
Punt Returner Nightmare and RB Watch
Now, this next one is where things get super real, and frankly, a little frustrating. Are we *seriously* going to deploy Xavier Smith as the punt returner again in 2026? After watching him hand the Seahawks a touchdown on a muffed punt in the NFC Championship game? Man, that memory still hurts! It would be a tough, tough pill for any fan to swallow. Why are we even considering this when we could explore other options? Brennan Presley, for example, had a good day at Arrowhead, leading the team with 4 catches for 58 yards. Or what about Dean Connors? Both of those guys are athletic and shifty. We have two more games. That’s plenty of runway to assess whether they are competent. We *know* who Smith is, we’ve seen it. It’s time to look in another direction, pure and simple.
And speaking of Dean Connors, keep your eyes peeled for him. He touched the ball *every* single time in Preseason Week 1 as a running back. The kid’s clearly trying to make a statement in that backfield!
So, these next few weeks are absolutely huge. Thursday brings that joint practice with the New Orleans Saints, and then LA closes out the preseason with two more exhibition contests. There might only be four outstanding roster battles that could be decided by standout performances, but every single rep, every single snap, every single play matters. Who’s gonna step up and grab those last few spots? Can’t wait to see it!
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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