This summer was supposed to be Stetson Bennett’s opportunity to take hold of the L.A. Rams’ backup quarterback position, as Matthew Stafford is expected to rest for the majority of offseason practices and drills. His timing couldn’t be worse. The Rams have gone from a good defense to a unit featuring Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie.
Even though Bennett is almost 30 and entering his fourth season, OTAs is proving to be sort of a “Welcome to the NFL” moment for him. McDuffie intercepted Bennett as he attempted to throw an out route to Puka Nacua on Monday.
All the more reason for Ty Simpson to get up to speed.
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Bennett, a fourth round pick in 2022, has yet to be more than a third-string quarterback in the NFL. It’s rare for a player to last this long on a team that drafted him when he’s never even been a backup before.
Even so, Ty Simpson is thought to be even further away from readiness for the NFL.
Bennett is getting the chance of a lifetime in 2026. As Stafford rests up for his 18th season, Bennett has the opportunity to wrestle control of the backup quarterback position by being the de facto first-string QB. However, his career has always been marred by turnovers and questions of arm strength, neither of which looked any better on Monday.
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Ready or not, Ty Simpson’s day could come sooner than L.A. had hoped for when they drafted him.