THE APEX TIMES
McVay says Rams’ quarterback usage vs. Saints will follow the script of Tuesday and Thursday work
Sean McVay indicated that how Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson play in the Rams’ preseason Week 2 matchup will depend largely on practices leading up to the game, including a joint session with New Orleans.
The Rams’ quarterback plan for preseason Week 2 against the Saints is not locked in by the calendar alone. Head coach Sean McVay said the approach to using Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson on Saturday will be determined largely by how the team’s Tuesday practice and Thursday joint practice with New Orleans go.
McVay’s comments frame the preseason as a progression of evaluation rather than a fixed rotation. In his view, the most meaningful indicator for how much the quarterbacks will play is how they execute during the two key preparation windows, including the extra reps and live work that often come with a joint practice environment.
Bennett and Simpson are the two quarterbacks McVay referenced directly when discussing usage plans. The coach did not outline a predetermined number of series or snaps in his remarks, instead emphasizing that practice performance will shape the level of involvement for each quarterback during the game.
The Rams, like many NFL teams, treat the early preseason stretch as a laboratory for timing, protection calls, and rhythm with first- and second-unit personnel. By linking quarterback playing time to Tuesday’s practice and Thursday’s joint practice, McVay effectively made those sessions the deciding checkpoints for the coaching staff.
A key context point is that joint practices with a division opponent typically intensify evaluation. They can reveal how quickly offenses adjust to unfamiliar looks, and how well quarterbacks manage communication under defensive pressure that comes from an opponent preparing specifically to challenge the matchups you intend to feature.
Because preseason plans can change quickly, fans should expect the Rams to keep the emphasis on responsiveness in practice. If the week’s work goes cleanly and sharply, the coaching staff may lean more heavily on the quarterbacks they want to prioritize for live game reps; if there are issues, the plan could adjust to keep the game work aligned with what the staff is seeing.
For what to watch next, the most immediate item is Tuesday’s session. Then, attention will shift to Thursday’s joint practice with the Saints, since McVay said that specific work will be a major factor in the final decision for Saturday’s quarterback usage.
Why It Matters
- Quarterback playing time in the preseason is one of the clearest indicators of what the coaching staff is prioritizing for development, timing, and evaluation.
- By tying usage to Tuesday and Thursday work, the Rams’ decision-making suggests a responsive process that can shift based on how quarterbacks execute in live-setting preparation.
- A joint practice against New Orleans increases the stakes of the week’s work because it can accelerate clarity on reads, protections, and pocket management.
- For fans tracking the Rams’ preseason picture, the practices will matter at least as much as the game itself.
- How much Bennett and Simpson play in Week 2 can also hint at how the Rams plan to manage quarterback workload as the preseason continues.
Sources
Key Facts
- Rams head coach Sean McVay said the approach to quarterback usage in preseason Week 2 vs. the Saints will be influenced largely by practice outcomes.
- McVay said Tuesday’s practice will be a primary factor in determining how Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson are used.
- McVay said Thursday’s joint practice with New Orleans will also play a major role in quarterback usage decisions.
- McVay’s comments directly referenced Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson as the quarterbacks in question for Saturday’s game.
- The remarks were made in advance of the Rams’ preseason Week 2 matchup.
- The Rams’ plan, as described, did not include a fixed preseason playing-time allocation in advance of the practices.