The Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback competition remains unresolved, but Stetson Bennett bolstered his case with another impressive preseason performance against the New Orleans Saints. Bennett started for the second straight game and played the entire first half, while Ty Simpson entered midway through the third quarter in the Rams’ 34-0 win.
Bennett completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards without a touchdown or interception and added two rushing touchdowns on nine yards. He led four meaningful scoring drives and helped Los Angeles bulild a 17-0 halftime advantage. His passing attack also became more aggressive than in the preseason opener, when his average depth of target was 3.2 yards. Against New Orleans, that number increased to 9.7 yards.
Bennett connected on several important throws during the first half, including a fourth-down completion to Tyler Scott and a sequence of passes during the two-minute drill that moved the Rams inside the 10-yard line. He also demonstrated his mobility by rushing for touchdowns after finding no open receivers on broken plays.
Simpson, meanwhile, received only three possessions and finished 8 of 12 for 73 yards with three carries for 10 yards. His opportunities were restricted by long Saints drives, a 100-yard interception return touchdown from Los Angeles safety Alex Cook and one possession that began at the the Rams 1-yard line.
Amid the competition with Bennett, Simpson said after the game:
“Whatever happens, happens, and I’m just gonna make sure that I get better from it and go from there.”
“Whatever happens, happens, and I’m just gonna make sure that I get better from it and go from there.”
After throwing for 73 yards, Ty Simpson told our @DarrenMHaynes about his adjustment to NFL action.#RamsHouse #RamsCentral | @CBSLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/o8ksJF2oJ4
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) August 22, 2026
Despite the limited workload, Simpson remained efficient. His average depth of target rose from 5.3 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs to 7.3 against New Orleans. He also produced consecutive completions to Alex Bachman and Tru Edwards for gains of 14 and 15 yards during the fourth quarter.
Simpson’s performance was less productive than his preseason debut, when the 13th overall pick completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs. Still, he avoided turnovers again and helped lead an 11-play, 66-yard scoring drive that ended with Jarquez Hunter’s 12-yard rushing touchdown.
With Matthew Stafford ahead of both quarterbacks, Bennett appears positioned to enter the season as the primary backup, while Simpson is trending toward QB3.
The Rams will finish their preseason on Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback competition remains unresolved, but Stetson Bennett bolstered his case with another impressive preseason performance against the New Orleans Saints. Bennett started for the second straight game and played the entire first half, while Ty Simpson entered midway through the third quarter in the Rams’ 34-0 win.