The LA Rams played their final preseason game of the year on Thursday against the Chargers. Stetson Bennett started their first two games of the preseason, but on Thursday he didn't step foot on the field once.
Instead the Rams chose to ride with rookie quarterback Ty Simpson in his place. On the surface this may seem like a bad sign for Bennett, but in reality it might be the greatest sign yet that he is winning, or has already won, the backup quarterback job for the Rams.
The Rams benching Stetson Bennett may indicate he will be their backup quarterback
Many NFL teams choose to rest their starters and established players during the preseason. They feel there is no need to risk injury in preseason games, so they will bench these players to preserve their health for the regular season. That is what the Rams may have decided to do with Stetson Bennett on Thursday, and if that's the case then that could mean he has already won their backup quarterback job.
The Rams have also given Bennett other signs that he will be their backup this season throughout training camp. Not only did Bennett start their first two preseason games, but the Rams have given him reps with their starters over Simpson when they rest Matthew Stafford in practice.
Only time will tell if Bennett being sidelined results in him being the Rams' backup quarterback this season, but unfortunately for him Ty Simpson had another solid night against the Chargers on Thursday.
Ty Simpson made one final push to win the backup QB job over Stetson Bennett
It's still unclear if Bennett has won the backup quarterback job yet, but if he hasn't then Simpson just made a good push for why he deserves the job.
Simpson played in the first half of the Rams game Thursday night, and he completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown. Fans might remember how well Bennett played in the first half of the Rams' game last weekend, but Simpson responded by finding similar success.
This performance might be good enough to cause the Rams to question if Bennett is the right choice to be their backup this year. Simpson thankfully didn't do enough to leave no doubt that he deserves the job, and that ultimately is a great sign for Bennett. He however played well enough to question if Bennett will win the job or not.
The Rams will have to make a final decision on who their backup quarterback will be in the next couple weeks. Head coach Sean McVay already said that they will both make their final 53-man roster, so now all that's left to find out is who will be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Matthew Stafford.
Georgia fans believe it should be Bennett, but there is still a possibility it could be Simpson. Bennett not playing on Thursday though could be a sign that the job might already be is, so the Rams will hopefully make that official in the coming weeks.
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