Ty Simpson Training Camp Update, Rams QB Depth Chart Revealed in Latest NFL Rumors on 1st-Round Pick

Stetson Bennett is "getting the first crack" to be the Los Angeles Rams' backup quarterback, but Ty Simpson remains in the competition and has shown "solid command in his limited reps."

Nate Atkins of The Athletic reported the latest on the competition between the two signal-callers.

"With Jimmy Garoppolo gone, [the backup QB battle] has fallen on Bennett and No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson. Bennett, who is getting the first crack, has the lead with the playbook and scheme after spending the past three seasons here. He's demonstrated a good command of the offense, but between offseason practices and the two training camp sessions, he's also fallen victim to a couple of greedy mistakes.

"Simpson also showed solid command in his limited reps. He isn't going downfield much, but the Rams are working on small steps with him, and he's displaying some solid accuracy and decision-making."

The Rams selected Bennett, a two-time national champion at Georgia, with a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He has not made an appearance during a regular season or playoff game yet, but Bennett has impressed in the preseason. Last year, he completed 44-of-64 passes (68.8 percent completion rate) for 512 yards and five touchdowns.

L.A. selected Simpson, a former Alabama star, with the No. 13 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. He started one year in college and completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions last season.

Simpson has potential, certainly, to be a good NFL pro. The lack of experience may be of some concern at this time, but it's not as if the Rams are asking him to start from Day 1.

Another potential option here is Jimmy Garoppolo, the Rams' backup quarterback each of the past two seasons. Garoppolo isn't on an NFL roster right now, but he could apparently be a choice for the Rams if they need an emergency QB in a pinch and don't feel Simpson is ready, per Atkins.

"Should Simpson be unable to rise to that level, it isn't an indictment on him long term. He was a developmental pick. But it could set up a situation where Garoppolo is seen as an emergency option.

"The Rams viewed him as a starting-caliber quarterback these past two years, and though he doesn't appear interested in going through a full training camp and backup routine, he did tell NFL Network he's open to playing again in the right situation."

Garoppolo has made 64 starts over his career, including 55 with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-2022. He found some success for the 49ers, helping guide the 2019 team to an NFC title. He last served as a QB1 in Las Vegas for the Raiders in 2023 before he was benched for Aidan O'Connell.

After a 12-5 season and an NFC Championship Game appearance last year, the Rams have great expectations this year, especially after trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

They are led by reigning NFL MVP and quarterback Matt Stafford, who is still dealing with a degenerative back issue. Per Atkins, the Rams are sitting the 38-year-old every other practice so he can manage the ailment.

The hope, of course, is that Stafford can start and play all season as he did last year and lead a successful Rams team and potent offense.

L.A. has to be ready, of course, if Stafford is forced to miss any time, so the backup QB competition continues as Bennett and Simpson handle their own reps.