Rams’ preseason finale only matters for six names

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 22: Ty Simpson #15 of the Los Angeles Rams looks down field during a preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We cannot pretend that Thursday night’s preseason finale between the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers is a 90-man audition.

The most noteworthy outcomes from the game will be who Sean McVay decides not to subject to an exhibition and are therefore likely safe to make the team. Thursday night is a job interview only for a select few. The rest are hoping to put out positive film so they can stick elsewhere.

It’s the difficult truth of the Rams’ preseason that you’ll hear from only the most realistic voices.

Backup quarterback

Insuring Matthew Stafford is Stetson Bennett’s job until it isn’t—and the veteran’s grip on the title has slowly loosened since rookie Ty Simpson’s breakout game in Kansas City.

While Bennett lit up the box score in the second preseason game against the Saints, throw-for-throw this was not an overwhelmingly positive performance. Ignore the box score. Look for throws into tight windows. The ball was sailing on Bennett last week, and he’s demonstrated a frequency in which he throws behind his receivers. That isn’t promising in terms of running an efficient offense.

As for Simpson, will the Rams let him attempt a pass beyond 20 yards? It’s the last box he needs to check in order to dethrone Bennett and serve as Stafford’s full-time understudy. The rookie has been pinpoint accurate on short and intermediate throws. He needs to remain consistently effective at this while showing the world he can also hit the deep ball.

The last running back (if there is one)

McVay and the Rams are telling us that the top three backs at set: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers.

There is no telling if the team will even be willing to carry four running backs. With the surplus of positive preseason performances between Jarquez Hunter, Dean Connors, and Jordan Waters, LA may feel compelled to release all three and then stash one or two of them on the practice squad. The roster is very talented and highly competitive. The Rams may need to steal a spot here or there in order to keep their best 53 players.

If LA does keep four running backs, there seems to be no clear favorite between Hunter and Connors. Both bring a different style to the backfield. Hunter is a physical presence that can hit top-end speeds. Connors’ best preseason production has come as a receiver, which is a nice change of pace from the three leaders on the depth chart.

Is there room for standout offensive linemen?

Alaric Jackson is facing a possible suspension. Rookie Keagen Trost will likely miss the start of the regular season due to injury. Justin Dedich returned to practice this week. If the offensive line depth feels uncertain ahead of the cutdown to the 53-man roster, that’s because it largely is.

Two names to keep an eye on are Bill Murray and Austin Blaske, of which you can read a deeper dive on them here.

If the Rams are going to keep a surprise player on the OL, I’d lean more towards Blaske. The rookie UDFA has played both tackle spots in the preseason and performed well. The Rams have a more urgent need at tackle short-term than they do at guard. Blaske may be the right man at the right time.

Wesley Bailey—a man in his own category

I give Wesley Bailey a 25% chance to make the Rams’ 53-man roster. He faces uphill odds. The biggest reason is that LA is already set at the top four edge rusher spots with Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, and Desjuan Johnson (who did not play versus Saints).

Yes, it is absolutely impressive that Bailey earned 10 pressures in Saturday’s game against New Orleans. However, for every pass rush win there is an offensive lineman that takes a loss—and the Saints’ right tackle allowed nine pressures individually. It’s also telling that Bailey played long enough to accumulate the volume of pressures he did. If the Rams were truly impressed, he wouldn’t have been on the field.

Bailey likely isn’t battling to make the 53-man roster. He’s a better fit for the practice squad, assuming another team isn’t willing to claim him off waivers. The only way Bailey makes the roster is if the Rams want to protect him from other teams poaching them, and LA has a recent bad taste in their mouth after losing standout offensive lineman Willie Lampkin a year ago.

Bailey isn’t competing against anyone directly. He needs another standout performance in order to force LA’s hand. That is a very high bar to clear after he already has one preseason game without a pressure.

Just remember—don’t get too attached to preseason standouts. They don’t have a great chance at no fault of their own.