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Ty Simpson's preseason print for the Los Angeles Rams demands a second look

Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, posting a 125.0 passer rating across three quarters. That stat line puts the…

NM
NewsMV Markets Desk
3 min read
16 August 2026Markets desk
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Key takeaways

  • Rams rookie QB Ty Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns with a 125.0 passer rating over three quarters against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
  • Simpson, a first-round pick, threw no interceptions and entered after Stetson Bennett played the first quarter.
  • Coach Sean McVay said Simpson was 'in good command' and called it 'a really good day,' but flagged a third-down throw to the flat against man coverage for review.
  • The Rams drafted Simpson with the long-term view that he could eventually succeed 38-year-old, defending NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
  • Simpson's immediate competition is with Stetson Bennett for the backup job over the remaining preseason schedule.

Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, posting a 125.0 passer rating across three quarters. That stat line puts the first-round pick squarely in focus, and the next confirmable milestone is the backup competition with Stetson Bennett that sharpens with each preseason appearance.

Reading the print

Bennett opened and played the first quarter. Simpson took the field for the remaining three and threw no interceptions. The 84 percent completion rate and the 125.0 rating were the physical facts of it. Coach Sean McVay said Simpson was "in good command" and called it "a really good day." The single coaching note McVay flagged: a third-down rep where Simpson threw to the flat against man coverage when the pocket may have allowed him to progress downfield. McVay said he needed to review the snap before reaching a conclusion.

Before kickoff, Simpson's father Jason sent him a text: catch every snap, make the easy ones easy, go do what you love, and I love you. Simpson said the message felt like being spoken to as a four-year-old. He added that his father sends a Bible verse with each message. After the final whistle, McVay gave Simpson the honor of breaking the team down in the locker room, a gesture that carries weight after a first professional game.

The pre-draft read on Simpson was split. Analysts at NFL Network and ESPN pointed to arm strength, deep-ball accuracy, and a late-season regression at the University of Alabama as reasons for skepticism. Dan Orlovsky was the named exception among television voices. The Rams took Simpson in the first round regardless, with the long view that he could eventually succeed 38-year-old Matthew Stafford, the defending NFL MVP, who locked in an extension worth up to $60 million with incentives.

What to watch

The setup runs through the remaining preseason schedule and the Bennett competition for the backup job. One clean print in August moves the narrative but does not settle it. The third-down decision McVay flagged is the specific film to watch.

Categoryearnings

Filed via foxnews.com

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Frequently asked

What was Ty Simpson's stat line against the Chiefs?

He completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, an 84 percent completion rate, with a 125.0 passer rating across three quarters and no interceptions.

What did Sean McVay say about Simpson's performance?

McVay said Simpson was 'in good command' and called it 'a really good day,' though he flagged a third-down rep where Simpson threw to the flat against man coverage instead of possibly progressing downfield, saying he needed to review the snap first.

Who is Simpson competing with for the backup role?

Simpson is competing with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback job, a competition that sharpens with each preseason appearance.

Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson?

The Rams took Simpson in the first round with the long view that he could eventually succeed 38-year-old Matthew Stafford, the defending NFL MVP who signed an extension worth up to $60 million with incentives.

What was the pre-draft evaluation of Simpson?

The read was split, with analysts at NFL Network and ESPN citing his arm strength and deep-ball accuracy but also a late-season regression at Alabama; Dan Orlovsky was the named exception among skeptical television voices.