Rookie QB overshadows Stetson Bennett in preseason Week 1

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett started for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Bennett and the Rams prevailed over the Kansas City Chiefs in 20-12 victory.

Bennett played the Rams' first two drives. He had a three-and-out and then led Los Angeles on a field goal drive. Bennett did not play any beyond the second quarter. Bennett completed four of six passes for 38 yards.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson took over the Rams' offense after the first quarter and put up some impressive statistics. Simpson, the Rams' 2026 first-round draft pick, completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He impressed across three quarters of action.

However, Simpson's first two drives actually had the exact same results as Bennett's first two drives. Simpson had a three-and-out and then set Los Angeles up for a field goal. On his third drive the half ran out. Simpson led the Rams on a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

Simpson primarily completed short passes, but it was enough for him to be named one of the Rams' five standouts from the game.

"The throws he (Simpson) made throughout the game were on time and with good accuracy," Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire said. Simpson looked in command of the Rams' offense and often had plenty of time to pass.

Simpson had a good NFL preseason debut, but we aren't convinced it will be enough for the Rams to make Simpson Matthew Stafford's backup instead of Stetson Bennett, who has been getting more reps with the second team.

"I thought Ty (Simpson) had great command all day," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He was able to get through good progressions, got a lot of different guys involved. I thought he and (offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase) were really in sync.

"I thought he took what the defense gave him. I thought he read the plays out, read with his feet. He did a really good job overall."

21/25, 190 passing yards, 2 touchdowns.

A great start to the Preseason for @RamsNFL rookie QB @ty_simpson06. pic.twitter.com/QgkzQleVcl

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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Rookie QB overshadows Stetson Bennett in preseason Week 1