The Los Angeles Rams will begin their preseason schedule on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, and as expected, virtually all of their starters are going to rest.
That means the Rams will get an early look at their backup quarterbacks with Matthew Stafford on the sidelines.
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Ty Simpson will play against the Chiefs, but he hasn’t made a decision on Stetson Bennett yet, via Zach Edwards of TheRams.com:
“Ty Simpson definitely will (play). I haven’t decided on Stetson Bennett IV yet,” McVay said on Saturday.
Simpson is entering his rookie season after being selected by the Rams with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is being touted as the team’s quarterback of the future, but likely won’t see the field this year.
As for Bennett, all signs point to him being Stafford’s primary backup this season. When Jimmy Garoppolo filled that role over the past two years, he never played during the preseason. A similar scenario could play out with Bennett in 2026.
The 28-year-old is entering his fourth season with the Rams since being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has yet to take an NFL snap, but that could change this year if the Rams need him to step in for any reason.
Bennett took first-team reps in training camp when Stafford got the day off, which is another indication he will be the Rams’ backup quarterback.
Rams sign cornerback Zech McPhearson
The Rams signed cornerback Zech McPhearson, who most notably is a former fourth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.
The move came after the Rams waived undrafted rookie cornerback Drey Norwood with an injury designation.
McPhearson played in 33 games (one start) over his first two seasons with the Eagles, but hasn’t seen the field since 2022. He most recently was part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad in 2024, but spent all of last year without a team.
McPhearson will likely compete for a spot on the Rams’ practice squad this season and potentially opportunities elsewhere if he gets cut. He should get plenty of opportunities during the preseason as L.A. tends to rest their starters.
