Ty Simpson’s preseason run gave the Los Angeles Rams exactly what they were hoping for when they used their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on the quarterback.
That decision drew heavy criticism at the time. For a Rams team carrying Super Bowl aspirations, Simpson’s selection seemed to dominate the conversation even more than the offseason trade that brought in cornerback Trent McDuffie. The questions came fast: why not add another weapon for Matthew Stafford, why risk bothering Stafford after an MVP season, why not keep reinforcing the offensive line, why not do just about anything else?
Why Ty Simpson?
Even Sean McVay didn’t appear thrilled in the moment, no matter how he has tried to explain that reaction since. But the preseason has changed the tone around the pick.
Simpson has looked like more than a draft gamble. He has looked like a real answer if the Rams ever need one.
His final preseason line says plenty: 47 completions on 60 attempts, 382 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 109.9 passer rating.
The production was backed up by the tape, too. Simpson’s first preseason action featured plenty of quick-game throws, but he also showed he could drive the ball down the field, hit throws at every level and make plays outside the pocket when the play broke down.
That’s the part that should matter most to the Rams. They identified a quarterback who fit what they wanted to do, and Simpson backed it up by running the offense cleanly and efficiently.
The result is bigger than just proving the pick right. It raises a real question about what the Rams could look like if Stafford ever has to miss time. Based on what Simpson showed in August, the offense may not just survive - it could still function at a high level.
The comparison that keeps coming up is the Aaron Rodgers-Jordan Love situation in Green Bay, and it’s easy to see why. The Rams may have handled the Stafford side of this differently to keep him comfortable, but the future plan suddenly looks a lot smoother.
For a rookie quarterback, this was about as strong a preseason as you can ask for. For the Rams, it leaves them with something every contender wants: confidence that if his number gets called, they can trust the guy under center.
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Still, the chatter around Bennett has outpaced the actual reporting so far. There have been trade proposals floating around, but no reputable insider has confirmed that the Rams are actively shopping him, and the team has also shown it is willing to factor injuries into trade negotiations when the right deal comes along. For now, Bennett sits in that awkward middle ground where he is clearly relevant to the depth chart, but not yet locked into the role that would quiet the outside noise. [Read more 🡒]