Ty Simpson didn’t waste any time making his case in Los Angeles.
In his first preseason action on Saturday afternoon, the former Alabama quarterback took over after Stetson Bennett started the game and turned in a sharp debut that had the Rams looking like they may have found their backup plan. Bennett opened and was removed after the first two possessions, then Simpson stepped in and completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
That kind of performance doesn’t change the top of the Rams’ depth chart. Matthew Stafford is still the guy. But it may have changed the conversation behind him.
For now, Bennett has held off Simpson on the depth chart, and Georgia fans have enjoyed that. Bennett, after all, is a four-year pro and a two-time national title winner with Georgia, so there’s been a certain comfort in seeing him remain ahead of the rookie taken with the 13th pick in the draft back in April.
But the preseason opener made one thing plain: Simpson is not just easing into the league. He already looked ready for more.
The Rams clearly did not spend that draft capital on Simpson to leave him buried as a third-stringer. They needed time to make sure he was prepared to be Stafford’s backup if called upon, and Saturday gave them plenty to work with. Simpson showed command from the jump, taking what the defense gave him and settling in quickly once Sean McVay leaned on simpler early concepts.
Then the offense opened up, and Simpson kept pushing it. He started hitting throws down the field and looked comfortable moving through the full menu of reads.
His processing stood out throughout the day, the same trait that made him so notable last season in Tuscaloosa. He worked through his progressions, made the right decisions, and got the ball out on time.
That’s the kind of showing that can tilt a backup competition fast.
The Rams still have two preseason games left, starting Saturday against the New Orleans Saints, and the next step seems obvious: give Simpson as many reps as possible before the regular season begins. After what he did in his debut, Los Angeles has a decision to make, and it may not be much of one.
In Other News...
Alabama Fall Camp Is Making A Few Surprise Roles Hard To Ignore
Alabamas fall camp is starting to sort out a few of the most watched positions on the roster, and the first week has already brought some interesting movement. Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell has been drawing strong reviews as the Crimson Tide works toward its season opener, while freshman running back Trae'shawn Brown has pushed himself into the conversation thanks in part to injuries around him. Elsewhere, linebacker Luke Metz has started to separate himself and a trio of transfer defensive linemen is making enough noise to keep the depth chart fluid.
For a camp built around competition, that kind of early separation matters. The Tide still have time to sort through the quarterback rotation and the rest of the front seven, but the early signs suggest some younger players and newcomers are not just filling reps, they are forcing the staff to take them seriously. With several spots still open and roles still settling, Alabamas next stretch of practice will tell plenty about how much of this summer momentum can carry into the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Offense Is Already Facing A Familiar Camp Warning
Kalen DeBoer did not need long after Alabamas first fall camp scrimmage to identify what still needs work on offense. Slow starts remain a familiar concern, and DeBoer made it clear he wants Ryan Grubbs unit to come out faster and put the sluggish openings from last season behind it. It was the kind of early-camp warning that tends to carry extra weight because it points straight at a problem the Crimson Tide has already seen before.
There is still time for Alabama to clean it up, with several practices and another scrimmage left before the regular season opener. Even so, the message is already established: the offense cannot afford to spend August easing into things and hope the issue disappears on its own. For a group trying to build rhythm under a new staff, the next stretch of camp should tell plenty about whether those early struggles are becoming a habit or just another item to fix. [Read more 🡒]