Sean McVay decides Ty Simpson will play in Rams’ preseason opener, but Stetson Bennett’s role is still unsettled

The Los Angeles Rams are moving into preseason game No. 1, and coach Sean McVay has already set one key piece of the quarterback plan. According to Yahoo Sports, McVay has decided that Ty Simpson will play in the opener, one of three preseason games the team will use to evaluate depth and install regular-season readiness.

While Simpson’s participation is confirmed for the first game, the other major quarterback question in the Rams’ camp is still open. The same report states that McVay has not made a decision yet about whether Stetson Bennett will take the field in that initial preseason matchup.

For a franchise that typically uses the early weeks of the preseason to clarify the pecking order, these choices matter more than they might on the surface. Preseason snap counts and the order in which quarterbacks are used can influence how coaches assess timing, decision speed, and communication with the first and second units. Even when the results do not carry into the standings, the process becomes part of the team’s internal roadmap toward the regular season.

Simpson’s planned appearance creates a concrete measuring point. The Rams can compare his performance and command of the playbook against what the coaching staff wants to see from the backup group under game conditions, including rhythm in structured passing downs and how quickly he processes defensive looks. The decision to have him play also indicates that the Rams are prioritizing his evaluation early in the preseason window rather than waiting for later contests.

Bennett’s status, by contrast, remains a moving target. If McVay ultimately chooses to hold him for a later preseason game, it would reflect a different approach to evaluation, perhaps spreading quarterback reps across the three games instead of concentrating them in the first week. If he does play in the opener, it would put two backup quarterbacks into the early evaluation cycle, potentially accelerating clarity on who handles specific game situations best, such as longer drives, red-zone timing, or two-minute efficiency.

Beyond the immediate roster implications, preseason usage also affects how the Rams manage the overall tempo of practice. Coaches often tailor walkthrough and preparation during the week leading up to a game based on who is expected to play, which in turn influences the reps the rest of the depth chart receives. Whatever the final call is on Bennett, the Rams will want to balance reps for multiple quarterbacks without sacrificing coherence in offensive packages.