The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their 2026 preseason campaign in style, notching a 20-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 15. While the final score might not count toward the regular season, the stakes were high for players vying to climb the depth chart—especially at the quarterback position, where the Rams are searching for a reliable backup behind veteran Matthew Stafford.
All eyes were on fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson, both of whom are locked in a fierce battle for the No. 2 quarterback job. Head coach Sean McVay made it clear before the game that Bennett would get the starting nod, with offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase calling the plays. Bennett, the former Georgia Bulldogs national champion, was no stranger to preseason action—he started games in Week 1 and Week 2 last year, and once again found himself leading the Rams’ offense to open the 2026 exhibition slate.
Bennett took the field with poise, completing four of six passes for 38 yards in his two series. His second drive was particularly impressive, as he orchestrated a 13-play, 73-yard march that stalled in the red zone but still resulted in a 25-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Mevis. “Stetson did a nice job,” McVay told reporters after the game. “He came in and did a nice job orchestrating a nice drive on the second series.”
With Stafford sidelined as a precaution, the Rams’ coaching staff wanted to see how their young quarterbacks would handle the pressure. Enter Ty Simpson, the much-anticipated first-round pick out of Alabama, who took over late in the first quarter. Simpson wasted no time making his mark, completing a 23-yard pass on his very first snap. Despite a shaky start—he bobbled a high snap but wisely threw the ball away—Simpson settled in quickly, executing play-action bootlegs and rollouts that showcased his athleticism and decision-making.
Simpson finished his pro debut with a stat line that turned heads: 21 completions on 25 attempts, 190 yards, and two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to running back Dean Connors. “I definitely felt more comfortable than I ever have in a game,” Simpson said after the contest. “Once that first drive kind of got done, I was like, ‘All right, well yeah, this is just like playing in the backyard.’”
Simpson’s family was in attendance, and he credited them as well as his coaches and teammates for helping him stay calm. “I just know that I’m happy to be here and I’m working to make sure that I do anything the team needs me to do,” he added, downplaying any talk of a quarterback controversy. McVay, for his part, was pleased but cautious: “I thought Ty had great command all day. It was a great step in the right direction for him. We’re going to continue to evaluate it like anything else.”
The quarterback competition wasn’t the only storyline. Running back Jarquez Hunter, fighting for a roster spot in a crowded backfield that includes Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers, saw valuable snaps. Hunter’s burst and power are well-documented, but coaches want to see improvement in his ability to read blocks at the line of scrimmage. Saturday’s game was a golden opportunity for Hunter to make his case, especially with roster cuts looming.
Elsewhere on offense, rookie tight end Max Klare emerged as a reliable target, catching seven passes for 37 yards on eight targets. Klare is part of a deep position group featuring veterans Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, but his performance against the Chiefs suggested he could carve out a role sooner rather than later. Receiver CJ Daniels, who flashed during training camp, chipped in with two catches for 18 yards.
The Rams’ defense also made its presence felt. Outside linebacker Desjuan Johnson and rookie lineman Tim Keenan each recorded a sack, while safety Nick Andersen led the team with nine tackles. The defensive unit held the Chiefs to field goals throughout the night, stifling both Justin Fields and rookie Garrett Nussmeier, who are themselves battling for backup duties behind Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
Special teams delivered as well. Harrison Mevis continued his strong preseason by nailing field goals of 25 and 40 yards. Punter Ethan Evans averaged nearly 61 yards on four punts, and Smith provided a spark with three punt returns totaling 52 yards. Under new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, the Rams seem to have found some consistency in the kicking game—a factor that could prove crucial in close contests down the line.
However, the night wasn’t without its setbacks. Offensive lineman Keagen Trost, a third-round pick expected to provide much-needed versatility, left the game after two series with a hamstring injury. The timing is especially concerning given that left tackle Alaric Jackson could be facing a suspension pending the NFL’s review of a personal conduct policy violation. “He was pretty bummed,” McVay said of Trost, noting that tests would determine the severity of the injury. Receiver Mario Williams also exited with a hamstring injury suffered on a kickoff return.
Despite these injuries and concerns about offensive line depth, the Rams’ performance reinforced why they are considered Super Bowl favorites heading into the 2026 season. The quarterback battle remains the headline, with Bennett’s experience and Simpson’s raw talent giving McVay and his staff plenty to ponder as the preseason progresses.
Looking ahead, the Rams will continue their preseason tune-up with a matchup against the New Orleans Saints on August 22, while the Chiefs are set to travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers the same day. Both teams will use these games to further assess their rosters and settle position battles before the regular season arrives.
For now, Rams fans can savor a promising start to the preseason, highlighted by the emergence of Ty Simpson and a host of young contributors eager to make their mark. The competition is far from over, and with more exhibition action on the horizon, every snap, every throw, and every decision will count as the Rams look to solidify their lineup for what could be a championship run.