LA Rams head coach Sean McVay is doing everything he can to keep rookie quarterback Ty Simpson motivated to compete against Stetson Bennett. Bennett has been leading the competition to win the Rams' backup QB job, but McVay made it clear with the media that he expected Simpson to struggle at first.
With time though McVay sounds like he expects Simpson to pass Bennett on the depth chart and prove why they drafted him with their first round pick at the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I think it's important and I think the important thing is really, let's be understanding of the fact that when these rookies come in, whether it's Ty or any of the guys, they are way behind the eight ball already," stated McVay via theramswire.usatoday.com. "The information will be accelerated in terms of how we throw it at them now, but it's really, let's just stack days. I think you want to create as many competitive situations, not exclusive to the quarterback, but for all of our players because I want us to get comfortable with, what does productive failure look like?”
Sean McVay didn't give Stetson Bennett the flowers he deserves
McVay sounds like he is making excuses for Simpson. He appears to be throwing him a bone to explain why Bennett is higher than him on the depth chart, but instead of doing that he could just give Bennett the respect he deserves.
Bennett has been playing well all offseason. He knew he would have to compete against Simpson, and so far he has done what he can to prove that he is the better player and deserves to be the Rams backup quarterback.
That however doesn't sound good enough for McVay. Instead of praising Bennett he is making excuses for Simpson, and with this being Bennett's last year of his contract that could be a sign that his time in LA could be coming to an end.
2026 could be Stetson Bennett's most important NFL season yet
Ever since the Rams drafted Bennett in 2023 he has been a backup to Matthew Stafford. That will remain the case again this season, but this year is his best chance to be No. 2 on the depth chart now that Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer with the organization.
Instead of battling against a season vet, Bennett gets to compete with a rookie. That is a huge advantage because Bennett has more experience with the Rams playbook, his teammates and what it takes to be a pro. He has to use that experience to his advantage to win the backup job to Stafford so when his contract expires after this season he is in position to earn another contract.
If Bennett is Stafford's backup this year he will get some in-game reps throughout the season. It more than likely wouldn't be anything substantial unless Stafford got injured, but there should be a handful of games where he gets a few snaps. The Rams in the past haven't played Stafford during their preseason games either, so being No. 2 on their depth chart would allow him to be their starter throughout the preseason.
Those reps are what Bennett needs to hopefully prove that he can be a legit starter in the NFL. Then when his contract expires after this year he will have something to show the Rams as to why they should resign him or why another team should take a chance on him.
NFL experts believe that the Rams will move off of Bennett after this year regardless of how the season goes. Not only will Simpson be a cheaper option moving forward, but most organizations prefer to give a first round draft pick more than just one year to prove themselves.
Bennett more than likely will be with a new team next year, so to put himself in a good position to sign with a team who will give him a chance to be a starter he needs to defeat Simpson this offseason and take advantage of every snap he gets throughout the preseason and regular season.
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