KANSAS CITY – Rams’ Super Bowl Aspirations and Quarterback Concerns
With maybe the most skilled roster in the NFL, it’s no surprise the Rams are seen as heavy favorites for the Super Bowl this season.
Nevertheless, there’s a looming question that no one involved with the Rams seems eager to discuss.
What if Matthew Stafford gets injured?
This uncomfortable possibility and how the Rams might cope with it became a topic during their recent 20-12 preseason win over the Chiefs.
As Stafford was kept safely away from action, the focus turned to the two quarterbacks who might hold the team’s Super Bowl aspirations in their hands if the worst happens: fourth-year Stetson Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson.
Rams QB2 Game Approaches
First things first – Stafford is okay.
For obvious reasons, the reigning NFL MVP isn’t playing during the preseason.
Bennett started the game, leading the Rams to a field goal in his two series. Simpson took over with just a play left in the first quarter and continued until the fourth.
Neither quarterback showed enough to suggest the Rams could just transition smoothly if Stafford were sidelined for any length of time.
But expecting either of them to step seamlessly into that role isn’t quite fair.
Bennett, now in his fourth year, hasn’t yet adjusted to regular-season play or made a significant pass. He completed 4 of 6 attempts for 38 yards.
As for Simpson? He’s just starting out his NFL journey with this being his first real game experience after three weeks of training camp. Replacing Stafford as a rookie isn’t an easy task. Still, on that day, he showed glimpses of why the Rams see him as a future leader.
Simpson appeared to be the superior performer, but he also benefited from extra playing time when the Chiefs switched up their lineup.
Despite that, he put up solid stats, throwing for 190 yards and completing 21 of 25 passes, improving as the game progressed. Notably, he directed a seven-play, 87-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dean Connors on third down, pushing the Rams ahead 20-9.
Throughout that drive, he hit completions of 23, 22, and 13 yards.
He also spearheaded a field goal drive in the second quarter and a short touchdown drive later on, throwing his first career touchdown on a 9-yard screen pass to Connors, putting the Rams ahead 13-7.
Simpson was drafted with the expectation that he could eventually succeed Stafford. Nonetheless, Bennett’s three-year advantage in the Rams’ system gives him the edge in backup duties.
However, if Simpson continues his performance from Saturday, he might just be in the conversation for the backup role.
No team can replace a franchise quarterback like Stafford effortlessly; the drop-off from QB1 to QB2 is significant across the league.
But there are varying degrees of challenges.
For a Rams team poised for a Super Bowl run, assessing whether Bennett or Simpson can maintain some level of stability if Stafford misses time is a major question to tackle this preseason.
Concerns Over Rookie Lineman
It didn’t take long for the Rams to face a possibly serious injury on Saturday.
Rookie right tackle Keigen Trost, a promising third-round pick from Missouri State, seemed to start strong before leaving the game with a hamstring issue.
The severity of the injury is still unclear, but the Rams ruled him out for the rest of the game immediately.
His condition is one to keep an eye on.
Trost had been establishing a significant role as a rookie, providing much-needed depth at tackle, and showing enough potential in training camp that many believe he could become a starter down the line.
His arrival has been a positive for an offense that depends on both the health of its starters and having reliable backups. Saturday’s opportunity was a chance to solidify that momentum before his injury cut it short.
Trost also made an early impression on Rams coach Sean McVay.
“He seems quite comfortable and consistent. You can see the agility and flexibility to play on either side of the line,” McVay commented. “It’s sink or swim, but he’s managing to stay afloat. There are a lot of great players for him to learn from.”
This versatility is a significant reason why Trost is positioning himself to take on a crucial role this season. The team will be waiting to see if this injury is just a minor setback or if it will keep him sidelined for a more extended period.
Rookie Tight End’s Strong Debut
The Rams got an early look at a connection they hope will become a mainstay in their offense for years to come.
Simpson and fellow rookie Max Clair connected seven times against the Chiefs, showcasing a preview of what the Rams envisioned when they drafted both players.
Clair was selected in the second round from Ohio State, which raised some eyebrows at the time, much like Simpson’s 13th overall pick.
Not that Clair didn’t deserve the selection; he was widely regarded as one of the top tight ends in the draft and projected to be a future impact starter.
The concern was more about fitting him into a position where the Rams already had a tight end and seemed to be picking up a luxury rather than addressing an urgent need.
But the NFL landscape can shift quickly due to injuries, free agency, and salary cap considerations, meaning that today’s strengths can easily turn into tomorrow’s weaknesses.
That’s why savvy teams plan ahead, anticipating needs instead of waiting for issues to arise.
While Clair may redshirt this season, giving him time to grow physically and fit into McVay’s offense, Saturday provided a hint of why the Rams felt comfortable thinking beyond the immediate future when they picked him.
Clair kept presenting himself as a target, and Simpson continued to look for him.
Seven times in total.
During that preseason game, the Rams got a glimpse of the quarterback-tight end combination they hope will remain relevant well beyond the current roster situation.
