Sean McVay says Rams will start 2026 with three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, but reps plan is still being finalized

Rams coach Sean McVay said Los Angeles will carry three quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, a decision that sets the framework for how the team will manage both the final days of the preseason and the early weeks of the regular season. While the number of QBs is now established, McVay indicated that the specific plan for quarterback reps has not been locked in for the final preseason game.

McVay’s comments, issued with the Rams preparing for a late preseason matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, emphasized that the coaching staff is still deciding how to allocate playing time in that game. In practical terms, this means the Rams’ plan for who starts, who gets the bulk of the second-unit work, and how the third quarterback is used could shift as the staff makes final evaluations.

The Rams’ roster picture for quarterback depth as of this announcement includes Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, and Ty Simpson. By choosing to keep three quarterbacks rather than trimming to two, Los Angeles is indicating a desire to maintain flexibility across multiple styles of game management, practice rhythm, and injury contingency heading into Week 1.

McVay also said he is still deciding on the team’s Week 1 backup quarterback. That distinction matters because the “backup” role often requires more than just being the next player up on the depth chart. The starter and the backup must develop timing with the second-string group, especially on scripted early downs, red-zone looks, and situational packages that are installed during the preseason.

The final preseason game versus the Chargers carries extra weight in this context, because the Rams appear to be using it as a live evaluation window for quarterback usage. Decisions on reps in a preseason finale can affect who looks sharp under game conditions, who can manage the cadence with specific personnel groupings, and who is best prepared to step in immediately if the starter is unavailable.

The Rams’ approach also reflects the broader reality of NFL roster construction, where carrying an additional quarterback can come with trade-offs elsewhere on the roster. Keeping three quarterbacks can be a sign the staff believes the group’s overall value, readiness, and developmental trajectory justify the roster spot, even as the team navigates the tightening roster cutdown environment.

What to watch next is the way Los Angeles deploys its quarterbacks in the preseason finale against the Chargers and whether McVay’s comments are followed by a clearer pecking order immediately afterward. The most immediate outcome will be the Week 1 backup quarterback decision, which could become official as roster finalization approaches and the team locks in its first regular-season weekly plan.