The Los Angeles Rams secured a 20-12 victory in their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, but the game's outcome was overshadowed by the performances of young players and an injury to a rookie lineman. With starting quarterback Matthew Stafford held out for precautionary reasons, the Rams evaluated their depth at the position, with rookie Ty Simpson making a notable impression.
Quarterback Depth Under Scrutiny
While the Rams are considered Super Bowl favorites with a talented roster, the question of their preparedness should Stafford be unavailable looms. Stetson Bennett, a fourth-year player, started the game and led the Rams to a field goal over his two series. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 38 yards. Simpson, in his first NFL game action, took over and played through the fourth quarter. He finished with 190 yards on 21 of 25 passes, demonstrating improvement as the game progressed.
Simpson was particularly effective on a seven-play, 87-yard touchdown drive, which he capped with a two-yard touchdown pass to Dean Connors. He also guided the team to a field goal in the second quarter and another touchdown drive that resulted in his first NFL touchdown pass to Connors, extending the Rams' lead to 13-7. Simpson, drafted as a potential future heir to Stafford, is competing for the backup quarterback position against Bennett. His performance in the preseason opener suggests he could challenge for the QB2 role if he continues to play well.
Offensive Line Injury Concern
The Rams also faced an injury setback when rookie right tackle Keagen Trost exited the game with a hamstring injury. Trost, a third-round pick, had been a standout in training camp and was expected to provide depth on the offensive line. The severity of his injury is not yet known, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Trost's versatility, capable of playing both right and left tackle, made his emergence significant for an offensive line that relies on dependable backups. Coach Sean McVay had recently praised Trost's steady presence and adaptability.
Rookie Tight End Connection
Another positive development for the Rams was the early connection between Simpson and fellow rookie tight end Max Klare. The pair connected seven times during the game, offering a glimpse of a potential long-term offensive pairing. Klare, a second-round pick from Ohio State, was selected despite the Rams already having depth at tight end. This strategic drafting ahead of immediate need could prove beneficial as the season progresses. Klare's ability to consistently get open and Simpson's success in finding him demonstrated their chemistry on the field.
