Ty Simpson, the Rams' number 13 pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, might actually play a ton in preseason, and that's a massive shift from what Sean McVay usually does! For years, McVay has been all about keeping starters and even key backups off the field for preseason snaps. But Simpson, arguably the most important rookie draft pick of McVay's entire tenure, could be the one who changes everything.
The McVay Preseason Paradox
Sean McVay hasn't spilled the beans on his preseason plan yet, and he definitely won't until just days before the Rams kick off against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 15. The big question is, how can he NOT play Simpson? Matthew Stafford is clearly sitting out due to his back issues, which also kept him out of offseason workouts and practices in 2025. That's one less QB taking reps, for sure.Bennett's Unexpected Leap
Here's the real kicker: Stetson Bennett is looking like the clear backup. There's no sign Simpson is going to leapfrog him for that spot. In fact, McVay was singing Bennett's praises on June 8, talking up his "tremendous growth." Bennett's seen way more reps with the 1s during OTAs, while Simpson himself admitted he's rarely been out there with them. McVay specifically highlighted Bennett's improvement in commanding the huddle and reading with his feet. He even stressed, "Stetson especially," when discussing growth over the last couple of weeks. It sounds like Bennett has the backup job locked down, and Simpson is playing catch-up. So, what does this mean for Simpson? If Bennett is the solid number two, McVay might not risk a competition and instead use preseason to get Simpson as many live reps as possible. Will we really see McVay go against his own instincts and throw his prized rookie into the preseason fire against the Chiefs on August 15? We'll find out soon!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.