QB · LAR · 28 yrs · exp 3 · Georgia
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
The Los Angeles Rams enter training camp as Super Bowl favorites after a blockbuster offseason, but injuries, performance issues, or strong opponents could derail their aspirations. Key storylines include Matthew Stafford's limited participation, the development of rookie QB Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett, and the potential return of Aaron Donald
Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly considering returning to the NFL in 2026 after initially thinking about retirement. The Rams, with Stetson Bennett as their backup and Ty Simpson a highly drafted rookie, could potentially use Garoppolo's experience if Matthew Stafford were to miss time, though his desire for playing time might lead him to other teams
The Los Angeles Rams' quarterback situation is highlighted, with Matthew Stafford considered an 'A+' but uncertainty surrounding his backups, Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson, and an unknown player. The team drafted Ty Simpson to potentially provide stability after Stafford's career, though his readiness is unconfirmed. The article also briefly mentions Kobie Turner positively
Derek Carr is open to returning to the NFL for the right situation, and if his dream is to win a Super Bowl and get his game straight by finally playing with a great team, then the Los Angeles Rams could be the “special” opportunity that the veteran quarterback says he needs right now. Appearing on Good Morning Football on Friday, Carr said that teams have reached out to him to gauge his interest in playing in 2026, and the quarterback said, “I’ll never say never, but it would take a special situation,” noting that a few teams contact him. He added that he’s at the point that “I just want to win. I want to win.” The Rams are probably going to win a lot of games next season and they could use a veteran backup, even if the rumors are that L.A. will move on with the options they have on the team right now. But signing Carr by offering him a backup role behind Matthew Stafford without having to compete against Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson for it would also be the ideal situation for the Rams. If Stafford gets injured, L.A. will have a legitimate replacement option already on the depth chart. If Carr’s intention is to rebuild his career and experience real success for the first time in his career, then following the same path as Baker Mayfield and learning from Sean McVay and Stafford should be his goal. There are still three weeks before training camp starts to make it happen. So he’s clearly not going to play for the Browns or the Cardinals. The Rams wanted to bring back Jimmy Garoppolo for another year, giving Simpson a full season to develop behind the scenes, but the veteran is still contemplating retirement and has no plans to return to L.A. that we know about. Carr last played in the NFL with the Saints in 2024, throwing 15 touchdowns in 10 games. He’s 35, which is still young enough for Carr to spend one year on the Rams as a backup and potentially hit the ground running if an opportunity presents itself in 2027; just think of how it worked for Sam Darnold when he signed with the 49ers in 2023. He has since won 14 games with two different teams. Darnold is much younger than Carr, but he’ll be much more attractive as a free agent in 2027 if he plays with a winner—even as a backup, potentially snagging a couple of starts along the way—than if he plays for a bad team or just stays home all year. If Carr just wants to win, as he says he does, then there is one blindingly clear option in front of him. It’s the L.A. Rams. But do the Rams want him and does Carr want to win, or does he want to start? He probably can’t have both
I can’t say whether Ty Simpson has had a great start to his career with the Los Angeles Rams, but if you check out Simpson’s quotes (you can see some below), he seems to be trying his best. On some level, that is all that can be asked. Try your best. Now, depending where you look, what you search on the internet, Simpson has struggled to pass Stetson Bennett . Is that true? It’s on the internet, so it must be true. Even if Simpson is moving along slower than Bennett at this point, how bad is that? If the internet says that’s bad, then that’s bad. We try to have fun around here, but here’s the rub: On some level Simpson hasn’t even really begun his first NFL season, yet. He’s entering it, and he’s getting acclimated to life in the NFL. And to hear Simpson tell it, he’s doing his best and taking it all in. Who knew? Or maybe so far, Simpson is doing exactly what the Rams expected. Maybe that’s why they drafted him. We’ll see, but it’s July and the NFL storylines should only get hotter from here. Thank you for checking out Turf Show Times! It’s almost Friday! We’re close, real close. Have a great day! “”[It’s like] drinking from a fire hydrant,” Simpson said during OTAs. “You’re expected [to do] a lot. The quarterback runs the show here, just how I like it. But it’s just making sure that you’re disciplined and you’re detail-oriented.” Despite the whirlwind start to his NFL career after being selected No. 13 in April’s draft , Simpson said he feels fortunate to be in a quarterback room learning from Matthew Stafford . “I mean, he’s the MVP for a reason,” Simpson said of Stafford, who earned the award this past season. “Everything he does, he’s so just aware of everything. Aware of how everything works [and is] so detailed. Being in the room with him is just such a blessing.” “There’s a continuing conversation regarding how long Matthew Stafford will play and for the Los Angeles Rams , keeping their QB1 successful is the key to maintaining his happiness. In order to maintain the success of their top gunslinger, they must surround him with young talent. The Rams have done so through bold trades and smart drafting. That couldn’t be made more evident than with CBS Sports’ list of the NFL’s top 25 players who are 25 and younger. Writer Tyler Sullivan named Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie and receiver Puka Nacua to the list.“ “Shockingly, Aaron Donald, who terrorized opposing quarterbacks for years during his nine-year career with the Rams, has been linked to a 2026-27 reunion with Los Angeles following the Garrett trade. While a potential unretirement move was more an alluring fantasy than a legitimate opportunity at first, NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently provided the public with a new game-changing update on the chances of Donald signing with the Rams in the foreseeable future. “With training camp now less than a month away, the NFL is widely anticipating the return of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald to the Los Angeles Rams,” Canfora wrote last Tuesday.“
When Les Snead drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, it took many by surprise. Including, depending on how much stock you put into visuals, head coach Sean McVay . But now Simpson is a member of the Los Angeles Rams, fighting with Stetson Bennett IV for the backup job behind veteran Matthew Stafford . And the Alabama quarterback is adjusting to life in the NFL, as outlined in a recent piece on ESPN , and “drinking from a fire hydrant” as he described the transition. “[It’s like] drinking from a fire hydrant,” Simpson said during OTAs. “You’re expected [to do] a lot. The quarterback runs the show here, just how I like it. But it’s just making sure that you’re disciplined and you’re detail-oriented.” Those details extend beyond the field, and include the pre-snap phase of life in the NFL as a quarterback. Which is why McVay has some interesting advice for his rookie quarterback. “What does it look like to be able to communicate, especially as a quarterback?” McVay said. “How am I saying the plays? … You have to see plays when you’re saying them, otherwise you can’t call plays in this offense. … Practicing in the mirror, what does your voice inflection look like? How are you emphasizing certain things? How are you really being able to go through the mechanics of everything that happens before the snap? And then what’s my footwork? What’s my timing and rhythm?” According to the rookie, the veteran Stafford is doing everything he can to help the young player adjust, with an assist from Bennett. “I mean, he’s the MVP for a reason,” Simpson said of Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP. “Everything he does, he’s so just aware of everything. Aware of how everything works [and is] so detailed. Being in the room with him is just such a blessing. “I really appreciate him and Stetson taking me in and answering all the questions I have. I know I’m probably annoying them, but it’s been really helpful. I can’t thank them enough. “[Stafford has] taken us all in,” Simpson continued. “And I really appreciate it because he didn’t have to do that. And anything that I can ask him and I can just take in, I’m willing to. So like I said, I hope I’m not annoying him, but I really appreciate the big brother kind of role that he’s playing in my development.”
If the Rams end up needing another quarterback next year, whether it’s because Matthew Stafford retired, and/or Stetson Bennett is no longer on the roster, then the currently jobless Brendan Sorsby would be a great option in the 2027 draft. Unable to play in the NFL, the CFL, or for a college program in 2026, Sorsby will be taking a year off following his sports gambling scandal at the NCAA level, betting on Indiana’s games while he was a member of the team. The NFL has separated itself from Sorsby this year by deciding to not have a supplemental draft, and so is the Canadian Football League after they officially barred Sorsby from signing with a team this year. But as a player who has better tools than Bennett, and a ceiling comparable with some of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 draft, the Rams should take a long look at Sorsby as a day two or day three option now that he’s barred from playing football this year. This is really unfortunate, as playing in the CFL would have been a fascinating opportunity for Sorsby to prove to the world—and the Rams—that he’s a rising star. And he wouldn’t be the first. Here are a handful of great stories that started in the CFL, an opportunity that the league has decided to deny itself of with Sorsby. Some will ask, “Would the CFL be a viable stepping stone?” The answer is a resounding yes! Here are three quarterbacks in particular whose professional careers began in the CFL and who, between them, have won multiple NFL awards and a Super Bowl. One of them has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Began his professional football career with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders as an undrafted free agent in 1994. During his five-year tenure with the Stamps, he was a four-time all-star and led the team to a Grey Cup victory, where he was named MVP. Garcia ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in passing and rushing, peaking in 1997 with 4,573 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. In 1999, Garcia debuted in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers . With the Niners, Garcia made three Pro Bowl appearances (for the 2000, 2001, and 2002 seasons) and led the team to the playoffs in 2001 and 2002. Was selected 99th overall in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and in the 39th round of the 1971 Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. After prolonged negotiations with the Dolphins failed, Theismann elected to sign with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for $50,000 per season. During his three years in Toronto, he led the Argos to a Grey Cup and was an All-Star twice. In 1974, the Washington Redskins obtained Theismann’s rights from the Dolphins in exchange for the team’s 1976 first-round draft pick. Like the current LA Rams, the Redskins at that time had their own FT picks philosophy; in fact, they drafted in the first round only three times over a twenty-plus year period. And, just like the Rams picking Ty Simpson this season with Matthew Stafford firmly in charge, the Redskins were actually set at the QB position with both Billy Kilmer and future Hall of Famer, Sonny Jurgensen, on the roster. Theismann, naturally, was itching to get on the field, but he was third in the batting order in the QB room, so what did he do? He volunteered for punt return duties. It turns out he was pretty good at it, returning 15 punts for 157 yards with an average of 10.5 yards per return and a long return of 44 yards during his rookie season. He finally saw some QB action in 1975, and from 1976 to 1985, he started 124 games, leading the team to back-to-back Super Bowls, winning in 1983, the season he also won league MVP. He was also voted to two Pro Bowls along the way. Went undrafted in the 1978 NFL Draft primarily due to pervasive racial bias against Black quarterbacks at the time. Rather than selecting him to play quarterback, many teams offered to draft him as a wide receiver or defensive back. Unwilling to change positions, Moon bypassed late-round draft int [... truncated ...]
Adds: Stetson Bennett
The Rams drafted Ty Simpson for the future. Is Stetson Bennett good enough for 2026?
Matthew Stafford was on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long and it’s worth your time. If you are a Rams fan this is a no-brainer to listen to, but if you like the NFL, Stafford, quarterbacks, Chris Long, whatever, it’s a great interview. I listened to it earlier this week and it’s rich with content between long and Stafford. I am telling you, friend, it’s worth your time. This is about as simple a Random Ramsdom as it gets. I’ll let Stafford and Long do the work for me. Thank you for checking out Turf Show Times and have a great Friday! We made it. “Even after somewhat surprisingly adding him with the No. 13 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams aren’t expecting Ty Simpson to be their starting quarterback this season. But that might not mean it’s too early for the team’s fans to start to sweat. Reigning Associated Press NFL MVP Matthew Stafford is nursing a back ailment for the second offseason in a row, putting the spotlight on Simpson and Stetson Bennett , a 2023 fourth-round pick.” “Can we please stop crowning the Los Angeles Rams already? The season hasn’t even begun yet – and I understand, I don’t want to turn this into just ‘What is Mike complaining about this week?’ But the Rams glorification has really been getting me. Do they have a good team? Yes. Are they a potential Super Bowl team? Yes, of course, absolutely. But crowning them and saying that they’re the best team in the league right now – I think it ignores a whole bunch bunch of stuff. Let’s run through it.” “McVay was trolled by a 49ers fan, Blake McCall, while on vacation in Saint-Tropez, France. McCall originally posted the interaction on Instagram on June 21st, per New York Post. He captioned his post: “Bought a bottle of champagne for @rams Head Coach @seanmcvayofficial to show my love for @49ers 😂”. McCall bought McVay a bottle of champagne and had it brought to the table by bottle-service girls. But the twist was that they were holding a sign that showed the logo for the 49ers .” “I don’t think anyone would have expected Simpson to stand out in summer training camp as he just arrived. As the article mentions, what is way more concerning is that Bennett, having been a Ram for several years now, couldn’t separate himself from a rookie who has been a Ram for only a few weeks. If they are essentially “tied,” there’s no reason at all for the Rams to stick with Bennett as the backup. Stick Bennett on the practice squad and move forward with Simpson as the backup.” -Ghost_80
Ty Simpson or Stetson Bennett? Stetson Bennett or Ty Simpson? Who will win the backup quarterback role for the Los Angeles Rams? We know that Matthew Stafford has the starting gig locked up, but behind him? Anyone’s guess. It’s been a little while since the Rams didn’t have some type of backup QB with NFL experience. At this time, neither Simpson or Bennett have started in a NFL game. Though Bennett does have some preseason experience. It’s only June, so there is time, but I am excited to see which quarterbacks get the work in preseason. I’ll be excited and curious to see which quarterback the Rams go with as their backup. It could be one of the most important decisions they make in the offseason depending on how Stafford can hold up throughout 2026. It’s Wednesday. Some call it Hump Day. Some call it not Friday, yet. Whatever you call it, thank you for checking out Turf Show Times and have a great Wednesday! “The Athletic’s Nate Atkins says neither Ty Simpson or Stetson Bennett have been able to “stand out ahead of the other” in the Rams quarterback room. With Matthew Stafford likely to have another limited training camp as he manages a back issue for the second straight year, rookie No. 13 pick Ty Simpson and former fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett are battling for the backup role. Though the team wants Jimmy Garoppolo back, the vet is mulling retirement, leading to one of these two unproven arms to be thrust into the backup quarterback role. Atkins reports Bennett took reps first in Stafford’s two missed practices in minicamp but neither Bennett nor Simpson “were able to stand out ahead of the other.” The Rams consider the backup role a significant void “with Stafford’s need to take time off and with the risk from each time Stafford takes a hit”, according to Atkins. A season in which Stafford misses time due to injury already decreases the Rams’ contention odds and an unprepared Simpson or Bennett as QB2 would be costly. Both will have time for developmental reps in camp and Simpson is worth rostering in Dynasty fantasy football formats. – Aditya Fuldeore “ “Their emergence ended the Rams’ rebuild in a matter of months, leading to playoff appearances in all three seasons they’ve been with the team and continuously building on the previous season’s successes. Before players like Puka Nacua , Kobie Turner , Byron Young , and others became household names, it was clear to the players already in the building that the class was special. Former Rams running back and Super Bowl LVI champion Darrell Henderson Jr . spoke to FootballbyNikko about the 2023 class, providing his insights on the work they did early on and how their ability to block out noise and focus on their work led to winning seasons.” “Now, we have learned that controversial quarterback Brendan Sorsby will likely be involved in that draft after the NFL announced it won’t hold the supplemental draft for Sorsby this year. Sorsby, who made bets on his college team and has a self-admitted gambling issue, attempted to play college football this season, using the court system to maintain his eligibility. The college football world nearly revolted, and now Sorsby will not play in college or the NFL this season.”
Ty Simpson listens to himself in the evening before he falls asleep. And also when he gets up in the morning and heads to work at the Rams ’ practice facility. The rookie quarterback hears his own voice on audio recordings as he recites the team’s play calls. “I want to make sure it’s the last thing I think about when I go to bed,” he said recently, “and the first thing that I wake up to.” The Rams ended their offseason program last week. But Simpson, a Tennessee native, said he would remain in Southern California and continue to study in preparation for training camp at Loyola Marymount in late July. Read more: Why Sean McVay decided to cancel Rams minicamp this year Simpson began the practice of recording himself at Alabama , where he was the starter in the last of his four seasons with the Crimson Tide. Now he is the heir apparent to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford , the reigning NFL most valuable player. The Rams surprised many when they used the 13th pick in the draft to select Simpson , who started only 15 games. But Simpson is doing everything he can to fit into a position group that includes Stafford, 38, fourth-year signal-caller Stetson Bennett and undrafted free agent Matthew Caldwell . “Feel like I’m a freshman again — drinking from a fire hydrant,” he said, adding that he knows and is comfortable with high expectations. “The quarterback runs the show here, just how I like it.” Stafford, entering his 18th season, has said that Simpson has not been shy about asking questions. “I hope I’m not annoying him,” Simpson said, “but I really appreciate the big brother kind of role he’s playing in my development.” Stafford is “the MVP for a reason,” Simpson said. “Everything he does, he’s so just aware of everything, aware of how everything works. ... I really appreciate him and Stetson taking me in and answering all the questions I have.” Bennett got limited reps during the offseason program. But his opportunities are expected to increase during training camp as the Rams manage Stafford’s workload. When asked about Bennett, coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase seemingly have gone out of their way to speak generally about rookies. “They’re way behind in terms of just the overall teaching progression but they’re learning,” McVay said. “Ty, like the rest of the rookies, are doing a really nice job.” Read more: 'It would be a fun year.' Rams all for Aaron Donald returning to pair with Myles Garrett Scheelhaase, who went through several head coach interviews during the offseason, is in his first season as the Rams’ coordinator. “I’ve been encouraged with all of our rookies, including Ty,” Scheelhaase said. “First things first, you want to see, do they come in? Are they coachable? Are they willing to work? And you’ve seen that from Ty from Day 1.” Simpson said that, so far, the jump from college to the NFL has not been daunting. Quarterback coach Dave Ragone and teammates have helped ease the transition. “The biggest thing is just how detail-oriented everybody is,” Simpson said, adding, “It’s really, really cool because, coming from Alabama in the SEC, that’s how pro-ready I felt.” With Stafford under contract through the 2027 season, Simpson might not play for a few years. But if Stafford were to suffer an injury, his time could come sooner. Simpson is expected to play extensively during preseason games later this summer. To make sure he’s prepared, Simpson recites and listens to his play calls. “So when I get in the game and hear a play call, I can just imagine it and see it,” he said. “That’s a big thing, just knowing the terminology and being detail-oriented just like Matthew and Stetson.” Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times
Matthew Stafford missed the entirety of training camp and multiple ensuing weeks of practice last season and then went on to win the NFL’s MVP award and lead his team to the NFC Championship game. The Los Angeles Rams seem to be drawing one conclusion from last year’s back injury scare: Stafford does not need training camp. The Rams are already managing the veteran QB’s workload during organized team activities (OTA’s). Stetson Bennett and rookie first-rounder Ty Simpson stand to benefit from additional practice reps, especially those spent with the first string. But Bennett seems to have taken a step forward in his fourth season. He recently drew praise from Sean McVay. This excerpt is from Stu Jackson’s recent post on the team website that summarizes the five takeaways from OTA’s: A spring of “tremendeous growth” for fourth-year QB Stetson Bennett Between last year’s backup Jimmy Garoppolo being unsigned and contemplating retirement, and the plan the Rams had for Stafford this spring, Bennett received more reps than he normally would… “I’ve seen tremendous growth,” McVay said. “Obviously, with Matthew not being out here based on the plan and the schedule that we’ve kind of thought was going to be best for him for now and for the long term, Stetson’s gotten a lot more reps than he would’ve otherwise. I think he’s done a really nice job. He’s earning the confidence of his teammates in terms of commanding the huddle. Then, he’s done a lot of good stuff in terms of reading with his feet. [Associate Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach] Dave Ragone does such a good job with those guys as a whole but both he and Ty have had good growth. Stetson especially, I think he’s had a really good last couple of weeks, and I’ve been proud of him.” If the idea that Stafford needs minimal training camp reps in order to hit the regular season running holds true, an increased workload for both Bennett and Simpson could pay substantial dividends in both the short and long term for the Rams. Simpson is the team’s future franchise quarterback once Stafford decides to retire and step away. Whether Simpson is second or third string is irrelevant. Reserve quarterbacks often do not develop behind the scenes because there are not enough practice reps to go around. It’s a positive sign and a potential accelerant of Simpson’s career that the Rams can put him on the field and allow him to patiently grow in a controlled environment. And we should take reported OTA performances with a grain of salt; however, McVay’s praise of Bennett probably suggests that the fourth-year quarterback will enter the 2026 season as Stafford’s primary backup. That is not a rejection of the rookie Simpson. Bad teams often thrust young quarterbacks onto the field before they are ready and capsize the developmental arc of their careers. Bennett himself, without having much on-field play to evaluate, is a testament to patient growth. He’s been on the roster for two full years without playing a snap in a regular season game. Should Matthew Stafford start the season slow, we can ask the question of whether resting him throughout OTA’s and training camp were the correct decision. Until then, we should appreciate the increased opportunity for Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson to continue developing behind the scenes
Jimmy Garoppolo remains a free agent as he contemplates retirement. The Rams drafted Ty Simpson in the first round, but Stetson Bennett could end up being the backup to Matthew Stafford. With the Rams limiting Stafford’s offseason work, Bennett received more reps than he normally would have. Rams coach Sean McVay was pleased with where Bennett is heading into training camp. “I’ve seen tremendous growth ,” McVay said, via Stu Jackson of the team website. “I think he’s done a really nice job. He’s earning the confidence of his teammates in terms of commanding the huddle. Then, he’s done a lot of good stuff in terms of reading with his feet. [Associate coordinator/quarterbacks coach] Dave Ragone does such a good job with those guys as a whole, but both he and Ty have had good growth. Stetson especially, I think he’s had a really good last couple of weeks, and I’ve been proud of him.” The Rams drafted Bennett in the fourth round in 2023, but he has yet to make his regular-season debut
Carson Beck knows Johnny Unitas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but admits he doesn’t know much more than that. Unitas was assigned No. 19 when he signed with the Colts in 1956 and went on to become the most famous No. 19 in NFL history. Beck was assigned the same number after the Cardinals made the quarterback a third-round pick in April. “I looked and thought, ‘There are no numbers between 1 and 19 except 19. Oh no,’” Beck told Darren Urban of azcardinals.com. “All my friends started making fun of me. Not many quarterbacks have 19. So in my head I need to turn it into a positive thing, ‘OK, let’s make it my own.’” Beck wanted No. 11 when he arrived at Georgia, but Stetson Bennett already had it. He was assigned 15. When he transferred to the University of Miami, Beck got to wear 11. Then, the Cardinals drafted him, and Beck said he knew Larry Fitzgerald wore No. 11. He thought, “Somebody’s jersey will probably be getting retired here shortly, so I don’t think 11 is a good option.” So, Beck will wear 19 and try to make it his own
The article discusses the Los Angeles Rams' potential backup quarterback situation for the 2026 season, weighing whether Stetson Bennett or rookie Ty Simpson should serve behind Matthew Stafford. The author notes significant visual growth in Bennett's game during recent preseason appearances, contrasting it with his difficult rookie year. Bennett has shown progress in offseason activities, with a notable improvement in his 2024 preseason performance despite an initially shaky start, culminating in a game-winning drive
Stetson Bennett struggled during Rams minicamp, throwing an interception to Trent McDuffie while practicing with Puka Nacua. Myles Garrett was also present as the Rams' defense showed early promise. The performance raises questions about Bennett's readiness for the backup QB role, especially with Matthew Stafford resting
Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, did not see game action in 2025 while serving as Los Angeles' emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. With Garoppolo unsigned and considering retirement, an opportunity is there for Bennett to compete for the primary backup role, though he now faces fresh competition from rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson. Simpson is widely viewed as the Rams' long-term successor to the 38-year-old Stafford, which clouds Bennett's path to meaningful upside within the organization. Unless he clearly outperforms Simpson in the battle for the No. 2 job, Bennett's long-term outlook on the roster remains uncertain
With Los Angeles Rams OTAs winding down to next week’s finale, a mandatory three-day mini camp, L.A. is officially in pursuit of Super Bowl LXI. This season’s extravaganza will be held on the Rams home field, SoFi Stadium, February 14, 2027. Having just come up short in the past two seasons, the Rams continue pursuit, making off season moves to solidify weak areas of the roster and hopefully, get them over the top. OTAs are mostly about scheme change installations, getting the the team acclimated to new teammates, and preaching the “Rams way”. Still it’s not too early to project who will be the Rams opening 53 players. There may be a lot of time left until final cut downs, but the depth of the roster only leaves a handful of open spots. Here’s how I would fill them and some of my preseason thoughts. Opening roster in bold. Starter: Matthew Stafford Primary backups: Ty Simpson , Stetson Bennett Cut/practice squad: Matthew Caldwell The only question at QB is who would come off the bench if Stafford is injured. If the absence is a longer term, let Simpson loose to sink or swim. In a short term, there is an argument to be made for Bennett, he has shown incremental year-to-year improvement during preseason games and in theory, should have a good grasp of the offensive principles in Year 3. Starter: Kyren Williams Primary backups: Blake Corum , Jarquez Hunter Roster bubble: Ronnie Rivers Cut/practice squad: Jordan Waters, Dean Conners Luxury problems here. The Rams could likely get away with rostering three backs and keep two on the practice squad. KWill has three straight seasons of 1100+ yard rushing and double-digit touchdowns with a catch rate at 75 percent, yet, Corum showed explosive qualities last year and deserves more work. A single offensive rep would be an uptick for Hunter, who remains stalled behind L.A.’s talented tandem. The bottom three of the unit would all likely clear waivers and be eligible for the practice squad, Rivers is a known quantity for his adequate all-around play, Conners gives of the same vibes, but is quicker, and Waters offers a big body for short yardage. Starters: Puka Nacua , Davante Adams Primary backups: Jordan Whittington , CJ Daniels, Konata Mumpfield , Xavier Smith Roster battle/bubble: Tyler Scott , Harold Presley Cut/practice squad: Mario Williams , Tru Edwards If both L.A.’s stars, Nacua and Adams can stay healthy, the lack of depth at WR#3 will be mostly negated. But doubts will linger, if one or both get nicked up and misses extended action. Whittington gets a real chance to prove he can handle the Rams role that he played in college, the quiet guy who does tough-guy work underneath and around the line of scrimmage. Mumpfield and Daniels are similar athletically, adequate. Daniels appears to be stronger at the catch point, while Mumpfield should be improved over his rookie season. Smith holds the sixth and final roster spot, if only because the Rams did not invest in a viable replacement as punt returner. Presley and Scott could challenge him for the “little guy” spot by proving they can return kicks. Williams and Edwards are long shots, but both had their moments in last year’s preseason. Starters: Colby Parkinson , Terrance Ferguson Primary backups: Tyler Higbee , Davis Allen , Max Klare Roster bubble: Dan Villari Cut/practice squad: Rohan Jones, Mark Redman The Rams have the depth here to make up for the lack at WR#3. All of the condensed sets, stacked receivers, and motion create a scenario where three wide receiver and two tight end formations could be considered interchangeable. The vets, Parkinson, Higbee, and Allen all have a solid grasp on the offense and good hands to boot, they combine for a shade under 70 percent catch rate. Ferguson should have a bigger taste of the offense in Year 2, he’s shown the juice to get deep, now needs to show it with the ball in his hands on shorter routes. Klare shares those same traits. Villari is interesting because of his [... truncated ...]
Woodland Hills, CA – After a newly signed extension along with a renewed commitment from the Los Angeles Rams , veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is fine with the team’s decision to draft Alabama star Ty Simpson . “I obviously have a ton of respect for our team and our organization. Happy to have next year taken care of if I decide to play, and they still want me back,” a smiling Stafford said Thursday, May 29, at Rams Organized Team Activities session. “But just excited to get that behind me. I just want to come out here and play and not think about that kind of stuff. Great to get that done sooner rather than later.” Stafford went on to say he's happy to share his knowledge with Simpson as the rookie transitions to the NFL. "We're in a unique position in the fact that we play the same position. I have a ton of experience, and he's just now starting his journey as an NFL player," Stafford said. "I know he's going to watch, not only me but other guys – Stetson (Bennett) has been around a little bit too – and really just soak up as much coaching as he possibly can. "He's a guy that asks questions. I've been trying to answer those as honestly and as thoroughly as I possibly can. He's a smart kid, he's got talent, obviously, he's a high draft pick. So happy to add good players to our team. He's one of them. But my job is to go out there and get myself and our team as ready to play as I possibly can." The Rams used the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Simpson. The pick came with a lot of scrutiny because LA could have drafted an offensive lineman, wide receiver or any player that could have helped what is viewed as a Super Bowl-caliber roster win now. Instead, the Rams pulled off the surprise of the first round and selected Stafford’s likely successor in Simpson. Sean McVay’s body language during a post draft press conference exacerbated the situation. McVay’s since downplayed the demeanor he displayed after Simpson’s selection, saying that "normal life" got in the way and reiterated that it’s Stafford’s team but the club is “excited” to bring Simpson aboard. Jarrett Bell: Stafford, Simpson and a QB-in-waiting dilemma: McVay must be 'careful' | Opinion Stafford turned 38 years old in February and is entering his 18 th season, yet he’s coming off arguably his best year. He led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and a career-high 46 touchdown passes last season – statistics that earned him his first MVP award. The first-round pick of Simpson is acknowledgement that the Rams are preparing for life after Stafford. Simpson provides the Rams necessary insurance at quarterback because Stafford’s flirted with retirement the past two offseasons. As Stafford said Thursday, he hasn't ruled out the possibility of retiring at the end of this year, but his post-football plans are on hold for now. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Stafford on working with Ty Simpson, his new Rams contract
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