2 months ago
Just as they did in the preseason, the Los Angeles Rams listed Stetson Bennett as the No. 2 quarterback on their unofficial depth chart for Week 1. That put Ty Simpson as the QB3 behind Matthew Stafford and Bennett, but the Rams don't view the rookie as a third-stringer.
Sean McVay said on Friday that while Bennett is second on the depth chart, he views Stetson and Simpson as 2A and 2B behind Stafford.
That obviously wasn't the case with Jimmy Garoppolo and Bennett last season, but with two young quarterbacks on the roster, the Rams want to make sure both of them get reps during practice. Compared to last year, when Garoppolo was getting all the scout team reps, the Rams plan to split them accordingly between Bennett and Simpson.
Sean McVay said that while the depth chart lists Stetson Bennett IV as QB2 and Ty Simpson as QB3, he looks at it as "2A, 2B."
Explaining why this is different than previous years, McVay said Jimmy Garoppolo took all of the scout team reps when he was the backup, whereas this…
After the final preseason game, which Bennett sat out, McVay declined to name a backup quarterback. Simpson played well all summer, as did Bennett, making the competition much more interesting than some expected.
#simpson #mcvay #garoppolo #stafford
Sean McVay said on Friday that while Bennett is second on the depth chart, he views Stetson and Simpson as 2A and 2B behind Stafford.
That obviously wasn't the case with Jimmy Garoppolo and Bennett last season, but with two young quarterbacks on the roster, the Rams want to make sure both of them get reps during practice. Compared to last year, when Garoppolo was getting all the scout team reps, the Rams plan to split them accordingly between Bennett and Simpson.
Sean McVay said that while the depth chart lists Stetson Bennett IV as QB2 and Ty Simpson as QB3, he looks at it as "2A, 2B."
Explaining why this is different than previous years, McVay said Jimmy Garoppolo took all of the scout team reps when he was the backup, whereas this…
After the final preseason game, which Bennett sat out, McVay declined to name a backup quarterback. Simpson played well all summer, as did Bennett, making the competition much more interesting than some expected.
#simpson #mcvay #garoppolo #stafford
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams are trying to sort out their quarterback room for the 2026 season. Matthew Stafford is returning as their starter, but it's unclear who will back him up after Jimmy Garoppolo opted not to return. Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson are competing for the QB2 job, and it might be a closer battle than anticipated.
Bennett has had the lead all year, but following Simpson's strong debut in the preseason, he's making things interesting. Simpson is obviously guaranteed a roster spot as a first-round rookie, but the problem is, he may not be ready to back up Stafford, and Bennett may be too good to cut.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network told Rich Eisen that he thinks the Rams will keep three quarterbacks, in part because he doesn't think Bennett will clear waivers if he's cut. He believes another team would claim Bennett, causing the Rams to lose him.
"To me, Stetson Bennett, I've seen him do this stuff that he's done in the preseason, I've seen Stetson Bennett do that live in person several times," he said. "I think Stetson Bennett understands this thing. He can get you through a stretch of games if you needed to. I would be of the idea of, 'Let's keep three and go that route,' but hey, maybe they want to save a roster spot and see if they can get Stetson Bennett down. I don't know that they'd be able to get him down to the practice squad without him getting claimed. I would lean towards three. I know a lot of teams don't want to do that, but where they are right now – if they end up making Ty the No. 2 with their expectations for this season going into the fall, that'll tell you that he's way ahead of schedule, in my opinion."
Bennett played well last preseason and looked comfortable in the first game against the Chiefs, but Simpson is already impressing in practice and the preseason, too. If the team is confident in Simpson being one injury away from starting games, he could get the nod.
#bennett #stetson #season
Bennett has had the lead all year, but following Simpson's strong debut in the preseason, he's making things interesting. Simpson is obviously guaranteed a roster spot as a first-round rookie, but the problem is, he may not be ready to back up Stafford, and Bennett may be too good to cut.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network told Rich Eisen that he thinks the Rams will keep three quarterbacks, in part because he doesn't think Bennett will clear waivers if he's cut. He believes another team would claim Bennett, causing the Rams to lose him.
"To me, Stetson Bennett, I've seen him do this stuff that he's done in the preseason, I've seen Stetson Bennett do that live in person several times," he said. "I think Stetson Bennett understands this thing. He can get you through a stretch of games if you needed to. I would be of the idea of, 'Let's keep three and go that route,' but hey, maybe they want to save a roster spot and see if they can get Stetson Bennett down. I don't know that they'd be able to get him down to the practice squad without him getting claimed. I would lean towards three. I know a lot of teams don't want to do that, but where they are right now – if they end up making Ty the No. 2 with their expectations for this season going into the fall, that'll tell you that he's way ahead of schedule, in my opinion."
Bennett played well last preseason and looked comfortable in the first game against the Chiefs, but Simpson is already impressing in practice and the preseason, too. If the team is confident in Simpson being one injury away from starting games, he could get the nod.
#bennett #stetson #season
2 months ago
Since their opening practices of OTAs last season, Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams have been in sync, using their veteran and positional perspectives to dial up the NFL's highest-scoring connection in 2025.
While Stafford and Adams were elite in 2025, their start in the regular season was a bit rocky because they had to adjust to each other after having limited reps. At the same time, they were attempting to figure out the opponent. It didn't help that Stafford missed training camp with a back issue, leading to Adams working with Jimmy Garoppolo during camp and joint practices.
This year, both players have been full participants, with head coach Sean McVay expressing his thoughts on the duo.
"We were literally just [talking about] that," McVay said of their strong connection. "It's awesome because obviously you could see about midway through the season they got really comfortable, but you don't take for granted how important that rapport is. No matter how great you are, you've got two great players. You've got to be able to get those reps, and repetition is the mother of learning.
"They've got a great feel. I think today was a really good day for those guys being able to connect against tight, sticky coverage. It's been awesome, but they're two outstanding people, outstanding players, and it's really fun to watch them take some ownership and even just be a fly on the wall and listen to their dialogue and what they're thinking. I love what I've seen from those guys."
#season #really
While Stafford and Adams were elite in 2025, their start in the regular season was a bit rocky because they had to adjust to each other after having limited reps. At the same time, they were attempting to figure out the opponent. It didn't help that Stafford missed training camp with a back issue, leading to Adams working with Jimmy Garoppolo during camp and joint practices.
This year, both players have been full participants, with head coach Sean McVay expressing his thoughts on the duo.
"We were literally just [talking about] that," McVay said of their strong connection. "It's awesome because obviously you could see about midway through the season they got really comfortable, but you don't take for granted how important that rapport is. No matter how great you are, you've got two great players. You've got to be able to get those reps, and repetition is the mother of learning.
"They've got a great feel. I think today was a really good day for those guys being able to connect against tight, sticky coverage. It's been awesome, but they're two outstanding people, outstanding players, and it's really fun to watch them take some ownership and even just be a fly on the wall and listen to their dialogue and what they're thinking. I love what I've seen from those guys."
#season #really
3 months ago
Following training camp, the Los Angeles Rams are set to take a major step in their preparations for the season, holding two joint practices and three preseason games. These will mark the first time the Rams go up against another team, providing a better evaluation of the roster.
As the team transitions to their physically demanding preseason schedule, here are five lessons we learned from training camp.
Myles Garrett was dominant throughout camp, while Trent McDuffie displayed the versatility and playmaking ability that make him one of the NFL's best. Jaylen Watson could cover every possible pass catcher the Rams put on the field. The defense dominated the latter portions of camp and the trio is a big reason why.
However, the greater impact is how they have elevated the pieces already on the field. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Kam Kinchens looked vastly improved. One would have to point to their teammates as a big factor in why.
Sean McVay virtually confirmed Bennett's role as a backup, with Ty Simpson set to play in preseason, while Bennett's participation remains in doubt. When Jimmy Garoppolo was the Rams' backup, he didn't play in preseason, alluding to Bennett likely being Matthew Stafford's backup in 2026.
#angeles
As the team transitions to their physically demanding preseason schedule, here are five lessons we learned from training camp.
Myles Garrett was dominant throughout camp, while Trent McDuffie displayed the versatility and playmaking ability that make him one of the NFL's best. Jaylen Watson could cover every possible pass catcher the Rams put on the field. The defense dominated the latter portions of camp and the trio is a big reason why.
However, the greater impact is how they have elevated the pieces already on the field. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Kam Kinchens looked vastly improved. One would have to point to their teammates as a big factor in why.
Sean McVay virtually confirmed Bennett's role as a backup, with Ty Simpson set to play in preseason, while Bennett's participation remains in doubt. When Jimmy Garoppolo was the Rams' backup, he didn't play in preseason, alluding to Bennett likely being Matthew Stafford's backup in 2026.
#angeles
3 months ago
It seems Aaron Donald is not the only ex-member of the Los Angeles Rams that is considering unwinding his retirement. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that Jimmy Garoppolo is open to playing in 2026 after mulling hanging up his cleats this spring.
From The Insiders: Jimmy Garoppolo considered retirement this spring but is very much open to playing this season in the right situation. Nothing imminent but he’s an experienced, veteran QB available for a team that might need one in the near future. pic.twitter.com/Q60E9tFCXD
— Mike Garafolo (MikeGarafolo) July 22, 2026
The Rams could still use Garoppolo’s services. Stetson Bennett is currently the primary understudy to Matthew Stafford in a year when expectations for LA are Super Bowl or bust. Bennett has never taken a regular season snap. Garoppolo brings a seasoned resume that can keep the team afloat if Stafford misses extended time.
One complication is the fact that Los Angeles drafted Ty Simpson in the first round this spring. Garoppolo may not want to join a quarterback room where he is in danger of losing playing time to a highly drafted rookie.
#mike #bennett
From The Insiders: Jimmy Garoppolo considered retirement this spring but is very much open to playing this season in the right situation. Nothing imminent but he’s an experienced, veteran QB available for a team that might need one in the near future. pic.twitter.com/Q60E9tFCXD
— Mike Garafolo (MikeGarafolo) July 22, 2026
The Rams could still use Garoppolo’s services. Stetson Bennett is currently the primary understudy to Matthew Stafford in a year when expectations for LA are Super Bowl or bust. Bennett has never taken a regular season snap. Garoppolo brings a seasoned resume that can keep the team afloat if Stafford misses extended time.
One complication is the fact that Los Angeles drafted Ty Simpson in the first round this spring. Garoppolo may not want to join a quarterback room where he is in danger of losing playing time to a highly drafted rookie.
#mike #bennett
4 months ago
No franchise has gotten more out of football's most unremarkable plays than the San Francisco 49ers. And the 2025 season, interestingly, complicated that story.
Pro Football Focus's Mark Chichester looked at an often-overlooked quarterback stat: "zero-graded throws." These passes aren't blown ***** ignments or highlight-reel plays, but rather throws where a quarterback is simply "doing his job," per Chichester, and making the play an NFL passer would be expected to make. The metric essentially tracks how a quarterback executes the offense he's in and how that offense produces by design.
Quarterbacks are, oddly enough, historically bad at this stat. Across nearly 221,500 zero-graded attempts from PFF since 2006, only one season has finished net-positive, with the average sitting at -0.060 expected points added (EPA) per attempt.
The 49ers have bucked that trend, though. They've been the league's most consistent outlier in routine throws for two decades, and especially during the Kyle Shanahan era starting in 2017.
Since 2006, three different 49ers quarterbacks rank among the top five in career EPA per attempt on zero-graded throws: Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 1, +0.111), Nick Mullens (No. 2, +0.076) and Brock Purdy (No. 5, +0.023). The trend holds on yards per attempt too, where Garoppolo, Purdy and Mullens sweep the top three spots outright at 6.43, 6.01 and 5.81 yards per attempt, respectively, which is ahead of every other qualifying quarterback in the sample.
Pro Football Focus's Mark Chichester looked at an often-overlooked quarterback stat: "zero-graded throws." These passes aren't blown ***** ignments or highlight-reel plays, but rather throws where a quarterback is simply "doing his job," per Chichester, and making the play an NFL passer would be expected to make. The metric essentially tracks how a quarterback executes the offense he's in and how that offense produces by design.
Quarterbacks are, oddly enough, historically bad at this stat. Across nearly 221,500 zero-graded attempts from PFF since 2006, only one season has finished net-positive, with the average sitting at -0.060 expected points added (EPA) per attempt.
The 49ers have bucked that trend, though. They've been the league's most consistent outlier in routine throws for two decades, and especially during the Kyle Shanahan era starting in 2017.
Since 2006, three different 49ers quarterbacks rank among the top five in career EPA per attempt on zero-graded throws: Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 1, +0.111), Nick Mullens (No. 2, +0.076) and Brock Purdy (No. 5, +0.023). The trend holds on yards per attempt too, where Garoppolo, Purdy and Mullens sweep the top three spots outright at 6.43, 6.01 and 5.81 yards per attempt, respectively, which is ahead of every other qualifying quarterback in the sample.
4 months ago
Matthew Stafford will be back as the starting quarterback for the Rams once again this year as he enters his 18th season in the NFL. And while he has played the best football of his career in his later years, leading the Rams to Super Bowl LVI to cap the 2021 season and earning NFL MVP honors last season. So it's a good thing he'll be back for Los Angeles – but there's also an inherent higher risk for injury with an older quarterback.
And if Stafford doesn't end up injured at any point this coming season, it could be bad news for the Rams – because it's possible the rest of their quarterback room has regressed as a whole. The Rams say goodbye to Jimmy Garoppolo, who served as the backup during the past two seasons. The Rams figured they had made an upgrade when they secured Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But now, it appears that might not be the case, or at least not immediately. Reports from NFL insider Jason La Canfora suggest that Simpson is currently the Rams' third-string quarterback, with the franchise favoring Stetson Bennett as the backup.
This likely won't be welcome news to Rams fans, as Bennett was the third-string signal-caller over the past two seasons in Los Angeles. While this could indicate that Bennett is finally developing into an NFL quarterback who is ready for playing time, it's also possible that Simpson isn't the talent the Rams thought they were getting. Bennett has risen to the backup spot by default.
And if the latter situation is the case, the Rams will have to rely on a player who likely isn't ready to be a backup to see significant playing time if their 38-year-old veteran quarterback can't make it through the season. And that's not a situation you particularly want to be in.
And if Stafford doesn't end up injured at any point this coming season, it could be bad news for the Rams – because it's possible the rest of their quarterback room has regressed as a whole. The Rams say goodbye to Jimmy Garoppolo, who served as the backup during the past two seasons. The Rams figured they had made an upgrade when they secured Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But now, it appears that might not be the case, or at least not immediately. Reports from NFL insider Jason La Canfora suggest that Simpson is currently the Rams' third-string quarterback, with the franchise favoring Stetson Bennett as the backup.
This likely won't be welcome news to Rams fans, as Bennett was the third-string signal-caller over the past two seasons in Los Angeles. While this could indicate that Bennett is finally developing into an NFL quarterback who is ready for playing time, it's also possible that Simpson isn't the talent the Rams thought they were getting. Bennett has risen to the backup spot by default.
And if the latter situation is the case, the Rams will have to rely on a player who likely isn't ready to be a backup to see significant playing time if their 38-year-old veteran quarterback can't make it through the season. And that's not a situation you particularly want to be in.
4 months ago
There is a narrative coming out of OTAs that Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett have yet to separate from each other in the battle for the QB2 role after Nate Atkins of The Athletic shared some insight from the offseason program.
For the Los Angeles Rams, their two options present two different dilemmas. Simpson is a first-round pick, the clear heir to Matthew Stafford, and a player who has a higher perceived ceiling than Bennett.
Bennett, on the other hand, knows the system like the back of his hand, has worked closely with ****** istants Nate Scheelhaase and Dave Ragone under Sean McVay, and has made tremendous strides in his development over the last few years, putting together an impressive 2025 preseason.
That dilemma will get solved in time. However, another narrative is that Simpson's lack of separation calls into question whether he was worth the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There's absolutely no reason to worry this early.
In 2025, Bennett entered OTAs as the team's QB3 behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. Bennett could not hit the broadside of a barn during practice. Perhaps a bit of an overexaggeration, but he was missing passes that are layups at the NFL level. Fast forward to training camp, and while Stafford was out with an injury, Bennett took a massive share of snaps, leading to him becoming sharper than ever.
For the Los Angeles Rams, their two options present two different dilemmas. Simpson is a first-round pick, the clear heir to Matthew Stafford, and a player who has a higher perceived ceiling than Bennett.
Bennett, on the other hand, knows the system like the back of his hand, has worked closely with ****** istants Nate Scheelhaase and Dave Ragone under Sean McVay, and has made tremendous strides in his development over the last few years, putting together an impressive 2025 preseason.
That dilemma will get solved in time. However, another narrative is that Simpson's lack of separation calls into question whether he was worth the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There's absolutely no reason to worry this early.
In 2025, Bennett entered OTAs as the team's QB3 behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. Bennett could not hit the broadside of a barn during practice. Perhaps a bit of an overexaggeration, but he was missing passes that are layups at the NFL level. Fast forward to training camp, and while Stafford was out with an injury, Bennett took a massive share of snaps, leading to him becoming sharper than ever.
4 months ago
The battle for the Los Angeles Rams' backup quarterback spot is officially heating up. And, according to one team insider, the competition is shaping up to be a lot tougher — and uglier — than fans might have hoped.
With Matthew Stafford entering his 18th NFL season, the QB2 role in Los Angeles will be a vital insurance policy so long as the veteran continues to play. The Rams originally planned to bring back veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to hold down the fort after two years in the position, but, with Garoppolo now leaning toward retirement, Sean McVay's squad is facing a sudden vacuum of veteran experience.
The keys to the backup role have been handed down to a pair of unproven young arms: Stetson Bennett, a 2023 fourth-rounder, and 2026 first-round rookie Ty Simpson.
Unfortunately for the coaching staff, neither quarterback managed to separate himself from the pack during recent offseason sessions, according to The Athletic's Nate Aktins.
Neither Bennett nor Simpson were able to stand out ahead of the other in these moments, as both worked on crossers, slants, outs and other basic routes, and neither produced much down the field. Bennett did have a lazy out throw that Trent McDuffie picked off, and Simpson overthrew a couple different deeper throws.
With Matthew Stafford entering his 18th NFL season, the QB2 role in Los Angeles will be a vital insurance policy so long as the veteran continues to play. The Rams originally planned to bring back veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to hold down the fort after two years in the position, but, with Garoppolo now leaning toward retirement, Sean McVay's squad is facing a sudden vacuum of veteran experience.
The keys to the backup role have been handed down to a pair of unproven young arms: Stetson Bennett, a 2023 fourth-rounder, and 2026 first-round rookie Ty Simpson.
Unfortunately for the coaching staff, neither quarterback managed to separate himself from the pack during recent offseason sessions, according to The Athletic's Nate Aktins.
Neither Bennett nor Simpson were able to stand out ahead of the other in these moments, as both worked on crossers, slants, outs and other basic routes, and neither produced much down the field. Bennett did have a lazy out throw that Trent McDuffie picked off, and Simpson overthrew a couple different deeper throws.
