Sean McVay won’t name a Matthew Stafford backup yet

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MAY 30: Steven Gilmore #22 of the Birmingham Stallions prior to a game against the Houston Gamblers at Protective Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Stew Milne/UFL/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Los Angeles Rams made a bold move by drafting Ty Simpson in the first round this year, but that does not mean Les Snead’s gutsy decision will help give Sean McVay an adequate 2026 backup for Matthew Stafford. Neither Simpson nor Stetson Bennett have been consistent enough (or had enough opportunity) in the preseason to make it obvious to anyone who should be L.A.’s second quarterback on the depth chart, and that includes McVay.

As of Monday, McVay told reporters that he still does not know who the Rams backup quarterback will be in Week 1 against the 49ers.

McVay added that while Simpson is guaranteed to play against the Chargers in the preseason finale on Thursday, he hasn’t decided if Bennett will get any more reps. What does it mean? We’ll know by Sunday, which is when teams must turn in their final cuts and 53-man rosters.

Here’s the rest of the Rams news from Monday:

Rams Make Multiple Roster Moves, Sign Brother of Former All-Pro Cornerback (sports.yahoo)

“Following their  second preseason game , the  Los Angeles Rams  made two additional signings on Monday. The Rams signed edge rusher Devean Deal and cornerback Steven Gilmore to the roster. They placed cornerback  Zech McPhearson  and edge rusher  Keir Thomas  on injured reserve in corresponding moves.

Deal was an undrafted free agent out of TCU who was signed by the  Seattle Seahawks  after the draft. However, he was cut on May 14 to make room on the roster for wide receivers Rashad Rochelle and Trayvon Rudolph.“

Leveling up 📈 Steven Gilmore has signed with the Los Angeles Rams! #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/UTgOJyHtqY

— United Football League (@TheUFL) August 24, 2026

Rams Still Unsettled on QB2 After Stetson Bennett’s Strong Week 2 (athlonsports.com)

“Head coach  Sean McVay  has not decided whether  Stetson Bennett or Ty Simpson will serve as Matthew Stafford’s backup this season , with the Rams’ final preseason game Thursday against the  Los Angeles Chargers . McVay confirmed Simpson will play, while Bennett’s status remains to be determined.

Simpson was  the story  in Week 1, completing 84 percent of his passes for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett, meanwhile, played just two series before his day was done, giving Simpson the edge in the competition.

But Week 2 belonged to Bennett. He received the bulk of the playing time in the Rams’ second game of the preseason and made the most of it in a 34-0 victory over the Saints.“

Sean McVay talks roster moves, allocating reps to Stetson Bennett IV & Ty Simpson, the importance of trust & more (therams.com)

“Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke with the media following Monday’s practice in Woodland Hills. Watch him discuss preseason roster moves, allocating reps to quarterbacks Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson, the importance of trust, and more.”

Brenda Song Loves the Los Angeles Rams So Much She Ended Up in a Broadcast Booth at SoFi Stadium (hollywoodreporter.com)

“ Brenda Song, we are sitting in a golf cart in the bowels of SoFi Stadium moments after you made your broadcast debut. How did that feel?

I’m on a high. I’m not joking when I say it was my dream. I grew up loving sports but I’m 5’2” — my feet barely touch the ground when I’m sitting in a chair — so I just love watching from the sidelines as a couch analyst. I’m just so grateful to the  Ramily  for letting me go up there and live out my dream and call the game. Sitting next to Rob Havenstein, an incredible right tackle, was insane.“

Breaking down the Rams’ 6 roster moves made on Monday (ramswire)

“Waive/injured LB Daniel Rickert

Rickert injured his knee against the Saints and was unable to return to the game. Unlike Thomas and McPhearson, he wasn’t placed on IR, but rather waived with an injury designation. If he clears waivers, he will revert to the Rams’ injured reserve.

OL Justin Dedich passes physical

Sean McVay said last week that Dedich was expected to return to practice soon, and on Monday, he was back on the field after being activated off the NFI list. Dedich had been on the NFI list since injuring his hand at home in July, causing him to miss all of camp and the preseason up to this point. Now that he’s healthy, he can resume practicing.“

Rams chose wisely in passing on Zach Wilson reclamation project (ramblinfan)

“But at one point, many fans lobbied hard for general manager Les Snead to save Wilson’s career, back when he played for the New York Jets.

LA’s need for a quarterback succession plan led fans to consider almost every young hurler. And you needn’t turn back the calendar too far to revisit the  Wilson-Rams rumors.

At the time, restoring luster to tarnished quarterback reputations was an LA specialty. But that restoration was only possible because Snead has a fine eye for talent. As fans relish the promise of both Bennett and Simpson, they can be thankful that the Rams front office knows who to invest in and who to avoid.“

Stetson Bennett was first up with the second-team offense. Ty Simpson also took some second-team reps.

— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) August 24, 2026

LA Rams make definitive statement in Stetson Bennett’s QB competition with Ty Simpson (dawnofthedog.com)

“Stetson Bennett was rewarded after impresive preseason performance

Ty Simpson was catching up to Bennett at the start of the Rams’ preseason games.  Simpson shined in their first game  two weeks ago and had NFL fans and analysts proclaiming that he was the obvious choice to be the Rams’ backup behind Matthew Stafford this year. These individuals were doubting Bennett, but that is typically when he does his best work.“

With the Week 1 Australia g...

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