Sam Farmer makes his picks and score predictions for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with the Rams winning in Australia and the Chargers beating the Cardinals.
McVay does not play starters or players expected to be significant backups or contributors during the preseason, especially in the final game.
Based on that, Bennett appears on track to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Matthew Stafford when the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia.
Or does it?
“I wouldn’t look too far into what that was,” McVay said of playing Simpson. “It was just continuing to get him experience.
“We’ve got three quarterbacks on our roster. Obviously, we’ve got the reigning MVP of the league and we’ve got two guys that we feel really good about. And if you say, ‘Hey, what does that really mean?’ That’s what it means, that we feel really good about those two guys.
“Not pigeonholing myself into any sort of decision other than I feel really good about Stetson Bennett, feel really good about Ty Simpson.”
Simpson, the 13th pick in the draft, completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards, including a second-quarter touchdown.
He faced Chargers starters during his first series, which ended with a punt.
“I was excited because it was my first time to where I was going against real guys in a real game,” Simpson said. “And it felt like I expected it to feel. Fast.”
It was Simpson’s second no-turnover performance. In the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Simpson played all but the first two series and completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
On Thursday, his most impressive play came early in the second quarter on third-and-seven from the Chargers’ 11-yard line. Simpson escaped pressure and rolled out to his left before firing a pass to diving receiver Brennan Presley for a touchdown.
Rams quarterback Ty Simpson slides in front of Chargers linebacker Nadame Tucker during the first half Thursday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Matthew Caldwell, an undrafted free agent from Texas, started the second half and played into the fourth quarter before suffering a knee injury. He completed five of 10 passes for 31 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to running back Dean Connors.
Bennett, a fourth-year pro, took the vast majority of second-team snaps during training camp and preseason practices, and took first-team reps on days Stafford was held out. Bennett played the first half against the New Orleans Saints and rushed for two touchdowns.
NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by Sunday.
“We’ve got some tough decisions over the next couple days,” McVay said.
Other noteworthy items following the Rams’ victory:
Atwell isn’t a fill-in for Nacua
Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 28, 2025.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
Running back Jarquez Hunter did not play — and was not in the building — but not because he was assured a roster spot with the Rams.
On Thursday, the Rams traded Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, to the Miami Dolphins for receiver Tutu Atwell, who played five seasons for the Rams before signing with the Dolphins last March.
Nacua is the defendant in a civil lawsuit that alleges he made an antisemitic statement and bit a woman while riding in a vehicle. If the NFL determines that Nacua violated the league’s personal-conduct policy, he could be suspended.
Did the Rams acquire Atwell as a preemptive move in case Nacua is suspended?
“No,” McVay said. “It had nothing to do with that. It was exclusively a guy we were really familiar with that you could really get at what we felt like was good for us and good for Jarquez.”
“Tutu’s an alumni,” Rams general manager Les Snead said during an in-game television interview. “He should come back. He’s someone who knows Sean’s offense. He can come in and play all three [receiver] positions.”
Connors, who played at Murrieta Valley High and Riverside City College before finishing his college career at Rice and Houston, rushed for 69 yards in 18 carries. Jordan Waters rushed for 53 yards in 15 carries.
Still waiting on Aaron Donald
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals in November 2023.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
McVay reiterated that the Rams will continue to move forward until Donald decides whether he will end a two-year retirement and re-join the team.
“It’s really one of those deals that, what we’re doing is we’re focusing on this football team,” McVay said. “Aaron knows that, ‘Hey, if he wants to be able to do that, that’s something that we absolutely want to entertain and be able to figure out, and that’s really kind of all there is to it right now.”
During a television interview during the game, Rams general manager Les Snead said Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, was still going through his process.
“Obviously, the timeline’s getting a little closer to make a decision, but the timeline’s the timeline,” Snead said. “Time will tell.”
If Donald returns, he will join a front that includes two-time defensive player of the year Myles Garrett, acquired by the Rams in a blockbuster trade. Snead said in the interview that dealing for Garrett was not part of the Rams’ plan heading into the offseason.
“Never was Myles Garrett penciled into that intent,” Snead said, “and I’ll be honest with you: Never was Aaron Donald penciled into that intent. Sometimes luck goes your way, and we’re jacked to have Myles and we’re waiting on to see what happens with Aaron.”
Defensive standouts
Rams safety Nick Andersen, center, celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in the first half Thursday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Outside linebacker Darryl Peterson III had two sacks, including one that resulted in a fumble in the final minute to preserve the victory.
Safety Nick Andersen recovered a fumble by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Cornerback Cam Lampkin also had a sack.
Edge rusher Wesley Bailey, who made a big impression in the first two preseason games, started against the Chargers but played only two snaps and had one quarterback pressure.
Mevis finishes perfect preseason
Mevis kicked two 27-yard field goals, making him six for six in three games.
Mevis kicked two field goals against the Chiefs and two against the Saints.
Bennett played the first half and led four scoring drives, two that he finished with touchdown runs in a 34-0 victory at SoFi Stadium.
Bennett, a fourth-year pro, completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and showed some of the mobility that was on display when he led Georgia to consecutive national titles.
Simpson aimed to build on his performance against the Chiefs, when he completed 21 of 25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. With the Saints dominating time of possession in the third quarter, Simpson got only three second-half series. He completed eight of 12 passes for 73 yards and led a touchdown drive.
So Bennett, by virtue of experience in the system and his performance Saturday, appears to have the edge to back up Stafford on a team that is favored to win Super Bowl LXI.
It remains to be seen how McVay handles the quarterback situation Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Chargers. Last season, Bennett was the No. 3 quarterback behind Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. But in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, Dresser Winn played the entire game.
In the days leading up to Saturday’s game against the Saints, Bennett and Simpson split second-team reps during the teams’ joint practice. Afterward, McVay talked about Bennett’s mobility and indicated that he would get more of a chance to show it on Saturday.
Rams quarterback Ty Simpson passes against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Bennett appeared far more confident than he did against the Chiefs, when the Rams went three-and-out on his first series against many defensive starters. Bennett finished his brief stint by leading a field-goal drive.
Against the Saints, a fourth-down false start penalty stunted the Rams’ first drive.
During the second series, Bennett threw arguably his best pass of the game — a deep shot that landed just out of receiver Tyler Scott’s reach. Despite penalties and a dropped pass, the Rams managed a field goal.
After Rams cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton intercepted a pass, Bennett led a 48-yard drive that he finished with a one-yard scramble to the right pylon for a touchdown.
On his next series, Bennett scrambled eight yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Receiver CJ Daniels catching on
Rams coach Sean McVay claps during the first half against the Saints on Saturday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
After catching only two passes against the Chiefs, Daniels had eight receptions for 68 yards against the Saints.
The sixth-round draft pick, who played at Liberty, Louisiana State and Miami, was targeted 12 times in the first half. His longest reception went for 17 yards and helped set up a field goal.
Jarquez Hunter finds the end zone
Rams running back Jarquez Hunter carries the ball against the Saints on Saturday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries.
Hunter would have amassed more yardage had two good runs not been nullified by penalties.
Wesley Bailey continues to impress
The Rams could be set at edge rusher, with star end Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart and Desjuan Johnson.
But the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Bailey, an undrafted free agent from Louisville, continues to impress. Bailey had a first-quarter sack, forced a third-quarter fumble and had four quarterback hits.
Secondary steps up
Rams safety Alex Cook, right, intercepts a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler before returning it 100 yards for a touchdown.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Hamilton intercepted a second-quarter pass by Zach Wilson that set up the Rams’ first touchdown.
In the third quarter, safety Alex Cook picked off a pass by Spencer Rattler at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.
Harrison Mevis making kicks
Mevis kicked two field goals, both from 26 yards. He has made all four of his preseason attempts.
