Ty Simpson’s preseason burst could reorder the Rams’ backup quarterback plan under Sean McVay

The Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback conversation is tightening as the preseason moves deeper, and Ty Simpson’s next opportunity may matter more than the stat line itself. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, Simpson is positioned for another chance to make an impression against the New Orleans Saints, with a potential knock-on effect for how Sean McVay staffs his quarterback group behind the presumed starter.

The immediate context is that Stetson Bennett was the first preseason starter for the Rams, but his time was limited. The same report noted that Bennett played only two series in the opening preseason game, which left the door open for other quarterbacks to meaningfully press their cases quickly rather than waiting for later pecking-order opportunities.

In that setting, Simpson’s value becomes less about whether he can “win” a job outright and more about whether McVay believes his fourth-down decisions, pocket play, and overall process translate quickly enough to disrupt the current plan. Backup quarterback evaluation tends to be cumulative in August because coaches can compare how different players handle similar-looking game situations, including rhythm after a series ends and response to protection or play-calling adjustments.

Simpson’s breakout, as framed by the report, hinges on what comes next against New Orleans. If he produces another standout performance in the kind of reps that typically influence a coaching staff, he could push Bennett further down the depth chart. That would also shift how the Rams manage preparation, since the preseason QB2 and QB3 roles often determine who gets the most high-leverage reps during limited practice and travel windows.

For McVay, the reason this matters is structural. The Rams have routinely treated quarterback depth as a must-have, not just a contingency. When the backup indicates and protection calls line up with the starter’s operational rhythm, the team’s baseline continuity improves, even if only one or two quarterbacks ever see meaningful live-game snaps.

Still, preseason depth chart movement is not the same as a regular-season guarantee. Limited series samples and matchup-specific playcalling can exaggerate or mute a player’s real standing. Bennett’s early start and short leash in the first game also suggests the Rams may be using the preseason to compare multiple quarterbacks in relatively tight windows rather than letting one player build an extended case immediately.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether Simpson can sustain command across multiple series and carry the kind of “breakout” trajectory the report describes, or whether Bennett’s earlier run becomes the stronger baseline. The answer could determine who the Rams lean on most frequently in the QB2 slot as the preseason continues, and that, in turn, can affect how confidently the team enters the final pre-regular-season evaluations.