Rams leave QB2 choice open after preseason finale, with Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson still in the mix

The Los Angeles Rams are entering their regular-season opener with an unanswered question at quarterback, at least publicly. After the team’s Thursday night preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Sean McVay did not commit to which player will serve as Matthew Stafford’s backup for Week 1 when the Rams play in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers.

McVay had indicated earlier in the week that one of Stetson Bennett IV or Ty Simpson would be the quarterback behind Stafford for the season opener. But the decision was not formally settled after the preseason game ended, leaving the QB2 role as a live competition heading into final roster and game-day planning.

Bennett and Simpson are now effectively tied to the same immediate storyline. The Rams have used the preseason to sort out depth at the position, and McVay’s refusal to name a backup immediately after the Chargers game suggests the staff is weighing more than just a single moment in one contest.

The timing matters because Week 1 in Australia is not simply another early-season start. It compresses preparation and makes the plan for in-game quarterback handling more consequential, especially if the Rams want continuity with their offensive starter and a clear next step at the position if circumstances require a change.

For Bennett, the question is whether his work during training camp and the preseason has separated him enough to be the first call behind Stafford. For Simpson, the question is whether his performance has tightened the gap or even pushed him ahead of Bennett in the eyes of the coaching staff. With McVay still leaving the door open, the Rams appear to be managing the decision as a final staff evaluation rather than a fully settled depth chart item.

It is also worth noting how the Rams framed the situation earlier in the week. By saying that either Bennett or Simpson would back up Stafford for Australia, McVay indicated both players remain in the core plan. Thursday night did not close that loop, but it also did not broaden the field, meaning the QB2 role is still, by the team’s public framing, a two-man question.

What to watch next is whether McVay provides clarity in the days following the preseason finale, and whether the Rams’ Week 1 preparation treats one quarterback as the more immediate lead option for the role. The backup quarterback decision influences everything from practice reps to game-week readiness, so the first firm answer out of the Rams’ facility will be a meaningful step in finalizing the team’s regular-season operating plan.