Matthew Stafford’s Preseason Absence Provides Rams Rookie Ty Simpson a Main Alternative

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford shouldn’t be anticipated to play in Saturday’s preseason opener in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs, giving rookie Ty Simpson a significant probability to indicate his progress.

Ty Simpson Set for Bigger Preseason Role

Stafford’s absence shouldn’t be a priority for the Rams, because the veteran quarterback stays too essential to the workforce’s Super Bowl plans to danger an pointless preseason hit.

Stafford has not taken a preseason snap since earlier than he joined the Rams. The workforce plans to maintain him out of preseason video games and have him prepared for the common season opener in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10, the NY Post reported.

For Simpson, nevertheless, the state of affairs creates a precious alternative. The Rams chosen Simpson with the No. 13 total decide within the 2026 NFL Draft. The workforce didn’t make that funding merely to discover a short-term backup.

Instead, Simpson is seen because the quarterback who may finally take over when Stafford’s time in Los Angeles ends. That makes the preseason particularly helpful for the rookie. Simpson is anticipated to obtain a big share of the work in opposition to Kansas City and will see loads of motion all through the remainder of the preseason.

Stetson Bennett can also be anticipated to get alternatives. With three years in Sean McVay’s system, Bennett stays the extra probably option to open the common season as Stafford’s most important backup.

Still, Simpson’s long-term significance makes his preseason snaps price watching.

Ty Simpson Gets Chance to Impress Coaches

Once the common season begins, his probabilities to run the Rams’ offense in opposition to one other workforce will turn into a lot smaller.

Stafford will deal with many of the essential first-team follow work, whereas Simpson will spend a lot of his time studying from the sidelines. Saturday offers him an opportunity to place that studying into motion.

The rookie may have alternatives to indicate how he handles stress, reads defenses, makes throws and responds when issues don’t go as deliberate. At the identical time, his efficiency ought to be seen fastidiously as a result of preseason video games typically function gamers combating for roster spots somewhat than the Rams’ full beginning lineup.

The larger story is Stafford, who’s coming off an MVP season and continues to obtain robust reward from NFL coaches.

According to SI, one defensive coach known as his skill to throw after trying off defenders a “freak show,” highlighting the veteran’s uncommon skill to idiot defenses.