Many felt Beck would be a throwaway pick with Jacoby Brissett set to start in a bridge year. The Cardinals will likely be returning to the quarterback market next offseason, especially if they again find themselves picking early in the draft. This was Beck’s first opportunity to say “what about me” and he passed the test.

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But Beck—Stetson Bennett‘s backup at Georgia—was drafted two rounds after Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson. Beck’s preseason success applies pressure to his fellow rookie. If Beck can play well, there are no excuses for Simpson.

Sean McVay has not yet discussed his plan for which quarterbacks will take the field in the exhibition games for the Rams. Matthew Stafford is resting for roughly 50% of the team’s practices. Bennett has led the first team during the MVP’s off days.

We know the Rams usually do not play starters or key contributors in the preseason. Bennett may fall into the key contributor category now, even though he has played a lot of football this time of year for Los Angeles.

And should Bennett earn the safety of the sidelines—indicating that he’s likely going to make the 53-man roster—we will likely see a lot of Simpson. Beck played a full half for Arizona, and we should expect a similar (if not larger) workload from the Rams’ rookie.