The Los Angeles Rams are trying to sort out their quarterback room for the 2026 season. Matthew Stafford is returning as their starter, but it’s unclear who will back him up after Jimmy Garoppolo opted not to return. Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson are competing for the QB2 job, and it might be a closer battle than anticipated.
Bennett has had the lead all year, but following Simpson’s strong debut in the preseason, he’s making things interesting. Simpson is obviously guaranteed a roster spot as a first-round rookie, but the problem is, he may not be ready to back up Stafford, and Bennett may be too good to cut.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network told Rich Eisen that he thinks the Rams will keep three quarterbacks, in part because he doesn’t think Bennett will clear waivers if he’s cut. He believes another team would claim Bennett, causing the Rams to lose him.
“To me, Stetson Bennett, I’ve seen him do this stuff that he’s done in the preseason, I’ve seen Stetson Bennett do that live in person several times,” he said. “I think Stetson Bennett understands this thing. He can get you through a stretch of games if you needed to. I would be of the idea of, ‘Let’s keep three and go that route,’ but hey, maybe they want to save a roster spot and see if they can get Stetson Bennett down. I don’t know that they’d be able to get him down to the practice squad without him getting claimed. I would lean towards three. I know a lot of teams don’t want to do that, but where they are right now – if they end up making Ty the No. 2 with their expectations for this season going into the fall, that’ll tell you that he’s way ahead of schedule, in my opinion.”
Bennett played well last preseason and looked comfortable in the first game against the Chiefs, but Simpson is already impressing in practice and the preseason, too. If the team is confident in Simpson being one injury away from starting games, he could get the nod.
But if not, expect the Rams to keep three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst thinks Stetson Bennett will get claimed if Rams cut him
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
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By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
