Sean McVay confirms rookie Ty Simpson will play in Rams’ preseason finale vs. Chargers, but Stetson Bennett IV usage remains undecided

The Rams’ quarterback rotation for Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Chargers is taking shape, with head coach Sean McVay offering a clear answer on one key piece while leaving another open. McVay said Monday that rookie Ty Simpson is “definitely” going to play in the game at SoFi Stadium, a sign that Los Angeles is prepared to give its young developmental quarterback meaningful live reps in the final exhibition.

McVay’s comments also underscored that the Rams’ reserve-quarterback plan is not fully settled yet. While Simpson’s role is set, the head coach said he is still determining whether Stetson Bennett IV will play in Thursday night’s matchup, as well as what the overall distribution of quarterback snaps will look like across the group.

The matchup matters within the structure of an NFL preseason because the final week often functions as a “separation” phase. Teams commonly use the last game to establish clarity for the quarterback depth chart, reward performance in practice with concrete game exposure, and create a clean runway heading into the regular-season evaluation period.

In that context, McVay confirming Simpson’s availability suggests the Rams view him as a priority for game repetitions late in the preseason. A quarterback prospect’s development in preseason is not just about dropping back, but also about seeing pressure, timing decisions in real coverage, and adjusting to game tempo. Giving Simpson guaranteed playing time in the finale indicates Los Angeles intends to assess those elements before the roster picture becomes more permanent.

At the same time, the fact that Bennett’s status is still unresolved suggests a more nuanced approach to quarterback reps. Whether the Rams choose to involve Bennett in the finale, and how much work he receives if he does play, can affect how the staff compares quarterbacks on similar situations. It also shapes how the Rams manage the “stage” of the game, since the final preseason score is less important than the quality and variety of the work.

For fans following the Rams’ quarterback storyline, Thursday’s game will likely provide the most immediate window into what the organization values from its backup group. Simpson’s confirmed participation points to the staff wanting to evaluate him in a full-game environment. Meanwhile, the decision on Bennett could determine whether the Rams want to layer in additional experience-level context, or instead keep the focus on developing the younger option.

As the Rams and Chargers move toward kickoff at 7 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium, the remaining watch items are straightforward: will McVay ultimately confirm Bennett’s involvement, and if so, how the team will apportion playing time among the reserve quarterbacks. Those choices will influence what the staff can learn from the week’s final audition and how the Rams enter the regular season with a clearer internal hierarchy.

Thursday night, in other words, is not just a conclusion to the preseason. It is the latest checkpoint in how Los Angeles is balancing development, evaluation, and roster clarity, with Simpson’s spot locked in and the rest of the quarterback plan still being finalized.