Rams open preseason with 20-12 win at Chiefs, rookies and backups show plenty of early promise

The Rams started their preseason on the road in Kansas City and came away with a 20-12 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, using the opener as a chance to evaluate rookies and younger players against a familiar high-level opponent. While preseason results are never the point by themselves, the way Los Angeles’ offense and field-position swings developed gave the coaching staff something concrete to build from as the calendar turns.

Quarterback Ty Simpson was among the biggest talking points from the night. According to the Rams’ postgame recap, Simpson looked like he was getting more comfortable as the game progressed, a sign the early-script work settled in and his reads and timing improved against a defense that knew it would be facing new personnel in waves.

The Rams also highlighted the production and role clarity around tight end Max Klare. The team’s takeaways framed Klare as a trustworthy target, emphasizing that Los Angeles was able to use the position in ways that stress defenses even in preseason, when reps often come with constraints but still need to match a clear football idea.

Wide receiver Xavier Smith, meanwhile, provided a reminder of how quickly games can turn in the exhibition window when a game-changing play hits the special-teams phase. In the Rams’ recap, Smith’s big punt return helped set up a touchdown-scoring drive, creating momentum that mattered as much for rhythm as for the final margin.

Another theme from the Rams’ breakdown was that many of the younger players received their expected opportunities. Preseason Week 1 typically functions as the first large snapshot of a roster group, and this one appeared to align with the plan, with offensive reps shared in a way that allowed the Rams to see what stuck early.

For Los Angeles, the most practical takeaway is that the offense did not look merely like a collection of isolated reps. The team’s story centered on progression from its quarterback, targeted involvement for a key pass catcher, and a special-teams swing that translated into points, all within one game.

Next week, the question for the Rams will be whether those promising elements carry over when the lineup turnover becomes more intense and game plans get sharper. If Simpson’s improvement trend continues, and if Klare remains a consistent option within the offense’s short-and-intermediate plans, Los Angeles will have more clarity on how it wants its younger group to function as the preseason progresses.