Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson made a strong impression in his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while posting a 125.0 passer rating. He played three quarters after Stetson Bennett started the game.
Head coach Sean McVay described it as "a really good day" for Simpson, noting that the young quarterback appeared to be in good command. "I just felt like he was in good command and it was cool to see a good smile on his face," McVay said.
While the NFL preseason is often viewed as an unreliable indicator of future performance, Simpson's showing has begun to assuage concerns from some draft analysts who questioned his arm strength, deep ball accuracy, and ability to handle pressure. The Rams drafted Simpson 13th overall in the first round, anticipating he could eventually succeed veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Despite the positive debut, McVay also pointed to areas for improvement. He noted one third-down situation where Simpson might have had an opportunity to progress further downfield. "I have to see it, but I think the pocket might have allowed him to progress," McVay stated.
Simpson, who received a text message from his father before the game encouraging him to "catch every snap, make the easy ones easy, go do what you love," also shared that his father sends him Bible verses regularly. He acknowledged the comforting feeling of family support as he navigates his early career. The rookie's performance and McVay's actions, including giving Simpson the honor of addressing the team postgame, will likely intensify the competition with Bennett for the backup quarterback position.