The Los Angeles Rams are bucking a trend that head coach Sean McVay established, specifically with Stetson Bennett IV and rookie first-round draft pick Ty Simpson.
Bennett has assumed QB2 duties behind starter and reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, with Simpson slotting in third, ahead of only undrafted rookie free agent Matthew Caldwell. In the past, that designation would have meant a quiet preseason for Bennett.
Not this year.
Stetson Bennett IV Gets Major Update From Rams
GettyStetson Bennett IV will start for the Rams against the Chiefs.
McVay announced to the media on Thursday that Bennett would start the Rams’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Sean McVay said Stetson Bennett will start Saturday’s preseason opener against the Chiefs,” TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson reported on X on August 13, adding that “Ty Simpson will also play.”
That last part was not in question.
McVay said that Simpson was a certainty to suit up for the contest, but that he was also unsure about Bennett.
Stetson Bennett IV Reprising Role for Preseason
GettyStetson Bennett IV has been in this position before.
This marks the fourth straight preseason of work for Bennett, a fourth-round pick of the 2023 draft. He has yet to play in the regular season, making his preseason experience, along with his work in practice, key parts of the Rams’ evaluation.
Last year, McVay rested then-QB2 Jimmy Garoppolo, giving Bennett the work as their starter.
Garoppolo had ample experience, including leading a team to the Super Bowl, making their decision simpler.
They do not have that benefit with Bennett, making his participation in at least the opener essential as the top option behind Stafford. The good news is that Stafford is healthy, but McVay has acknowledged how unfortunate it would be to lose him.
Losing Bennett would mean speeding up their timeline for Simpson.
It could also be a death knell for their season amid hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl, which will be in LA.
Ty Simpson Right on Track
GettyTy Simpson will come off the bench against the Chiefs.
The Rams’ decision is not an indictment of Simpson, who McVay has lauded for handling all that they have thrown at him during the offseason program and training camp.
In fact, this is all in line with the Rams’ plan for Simpson.
They want him to sit and learn behind Stafford (and Bennett) in what is virtually a redshirt season.
That means he will see plenty of run in the preseason but hardly anything after that in terms of practice reps. The vast majority of those will go Stafford, with Bennett mixing in lightly.
That adds to the importance of the preseason reps for Simpson.
It is also important for the Rams as they gauge where their future at the position is at this point.
Rams Buck Recent Trend With QB Decision for Chiefs Game