Rams’ backup QB competition may be over after telling move by Sean McVay

Sean McVay has not officially announced who the Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback will be for the 2026 season, but on Thursday night he told the world with his actions. 

Rookie Ty Simpson got the start against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Rams’ preseason finale at SoFi Stadium, while Stetson Bennett IV didn’t even dress. For a coach who treats preseason snaps for important players like precious cargo, the message was difficult to ignore: Bennett appears to have secured the job backing up reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

McVay has made a career out of bubble-wrapping players he expects to matter when the games count. So after Bennett strengthened his case by leading four scoring drives and rushing for two touchdowns in Saturday’s 34-0 demolition of the New Orleans Saints, keeping him in street clothes Thursday felt less like another chapter in the competition and more like the punctuation mark at the end of the sentence. 

Los Angeles Rams QB Ty Simpson throwing a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.

Simpson entered Thursday having completed 29 of 37 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason, including a dazzling 21-of-25 debut against Kansas City. Bennett finished his preseason work 23 of 37 for 219 yards through the air while adding two rushing touchdowns.

Simpson’s start also opened the door for Matthew Caldwell to finally see the field. The undrafted rookie finished his college career at Texas after previous stops at Troy, Gardner-Webb and Jacksonville State, throwing for 3,135 yards and 22 touchdowns across 32 games. Caldwell went undrafted in April before signing with the Rams and could become a practice-squad developmental option.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks with referee Shawn Hochuli during warmups before a preseason game at SoFi Stadium. Getty Images

McVay still hasn’t publicly named his quarterback depth chart.

But sometimes a coach says more with the players he doesn’t put on the field, than the ones he does.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters