Lukewarm report on Rams' quarterback battle is sowing seeds of concern

At the end of OTAs, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay had only good things to say about fourth-year quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is competing with rookie first-rounder Ty Simpson for the primary backup role. Matthew Stafford, the starter, praised Simpson's talent and dedication. 

Coachspeak, however, can be a difficult language to translate. Thus far, per Rams beat writer Nate Atkins, neither contestant has impressed (subscription required) in a way that should leave fans feeling warm and fuzzy: 

Neither Bennett nor Simpson were able to stand out ahead of the other in these moments, as both worked on crossers, slants, outs and other basic routes, and neither produced much down the field. …  time will tell whether Simpson or Bennett are ready to fill a void the Rams consider significant with Stafford’s need to take time off and with the risk from each time Stafford takes a hit.

Okay, everyone, sound the alarm! Just kidding, of course. In fact, you could say this is all to be expected. Bennett has yet to log an official snap in his career and Simpson is a rookie still wet behind the ears. 

At the same time, the Rams have left themselves without a backup plan to speak of. That's what makes Atkins' lukewarm assessment, coming from someone with eyes and ears on the dialy goings-on in the organization, a pertinent cause for concern.

Rams' QB2 situation remains murkier than they'd like

The reason they don't have a backup plan on hand is, of course, Jimmy Garoppolo's abrupt announcement that he is considering retirement. With Jimmy G backing up Stafford over the last two years, the Rams had nothing to worry about. Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl and has 64 career starts. Even if Stafford was forced to miss time, the offense would be in capable hands. 

Garoppolo's announcement threw that plan off its axis.

"It’s just not as simple as it was with Jimmy Garoppolo, who had started 63 games before he became Stafford’s backup the past two seasons," Atkins observes. "Los Angeles planned on bringing Garoppolo back even with the plan to draft Simpson…"

Maybe Garoppolo will turn heel and decide to give the Horns one more season. More likely, he won't. It's not a scenario to bank on, and no remaining free-agent quarterback is any kind of appealing. 

Incidentally, former Rams backup John Wolford remains available. Hey, old friend. That's not a route Los Angeles will be pursuing. Reuniting with Brett Rypien, another ex-Ram, wouldn't move the needle either. At this stage of the offseason, the free-agent pool has all but dried up entirely.

For now, the Rams' best bet is hoping one of Bennett or Simpson starts looking like a serviceable QB2 in training camp. Especially after the team invested the 13th overall pick in Simpson, passing on win-now prospects to do so, it's going to be a bad look if he isn't able to give them anything in Year 1 and, crucially in that case, Bennett isn't equipped to bail the Rams out. 

The jury is still out on both QBs, and so much time still remains before the season. L.A. doesn't have its answer yet, and it may take a trial by fire in training camp and the preseason to find out. May the best quarterback win.

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