Drew Allar’s strong preseason debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers has already prompted questions among Los Angeles Rams fans about their team's decision to draft Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall.
Allar, a third-round pick for Pittsburgh, completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a preseason win against Green Bay on Thursday. He also added a rushing touchdown, finishing with a passer rating of 154.8 and leading three scoring drives. While acknowledging it is only preseason and the competition was against backups, the performance offers a notable contrast to the Rams' draft strategy.
Los Angeles selected Simpson, a former Alabama quarterback, with their first-round pick, a move that drew criticism due to the team's Super Bowl aspirations with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Pittsburgh selected Allar 76 picks later.
The Penn State product demonstrated poise in his debut, effectively working through his reads, escaping pressure, and throwing accurately on the move. One drive included a 75-yard completion before Allar capped it with a rushing touchdown. He subsequently led two more touchdown drives of 89 and 60 yards.
Simpson is slated to make his preseason debut Saturday against Kansas City. However, his situation differs significantly from Allar's. Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Stetson Bennett IV will start the preseason opener, with Simpson playing afterward. Bennett has been receiving significant practice reps behind Stafford, turning what was anticipated as a straightforward developmental year for Simpson into a competition for the backup quarterback position.
This competition for the QB2 role is amplified by Stafford's age and existing concerns about the Rams' depth at backup quarterback. Simpson entered the draft with limited college experience, having made only 15 starts before the Rams invested in his potential as a long-term franchise quarterback, banking on the development under McVay and Stafford.
Allar's promising first impression does not alter the Rams' long-term plan for Simpson. However, first-round quarterback selections are frequently compared to those taken later, especially when a player drafted significantly lower shows immediate comfort and effectiveness on the field. Allar has provided Pittsburgh with a compelling debut, while Simpson now has an opportunity to quiet concerns and prevent Rams fans from questioning the team's significant draft investment.