Don't look now, but Rams backups will face some Chargers starters

The LA Rams may not be the only NFL team to sit starters in preseason games, but they certainly to have the most resolve of doing so. Just with quarterbacks alone, some NFL teams show no hesitation at playing their starters, From the Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), to the New York Giants (Daniel Jones) to the Houston Texans (CJ Stroud), to the Chicago Bears (Caleb Williams), some teams prefer to knock off the rust in preseason games.

Others do not.

That is a deliberate decision made by the LA Rams coaching staff. Not only made to bench starters in preseason games, but to sit a number of backups and rotational players as well. It's all about limiting the risk of injuries to key players for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.

But this week's opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, sees things differently. Of course, that is to be expected, as this team is under new management. The team fired former HC Brandon Staley and hired former University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh to take over the reins of the team. When NFL teams change head coaches, that often dictates a change of philosophy, both on offense and defense, which necessitates veterans getting extra repetitions to fully vet their new roles.

While that does not mean that key starters like OLB Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa will suit up for this one, it does mean that the junior varsity squad of the Rams can and likely will face some Chargers starters. Perhaps as long as one-half of regulation play. That can have a material impact on how well the Rams players appear in Game 2, and how effectively this team will deliver in terms of the quality of their performance.

From the coaches' perspective, facing starters of opposing teams is merely a tougher test for the players on the football field. While it may seem unfair, it's the goal of coaches to witness and assess the performances of players throughout OTAs, mini-camps, training camp, and the preseason. Coaches understand what a player should be doing, the quality of the opposition, and the effectiveness of that player on any give snap of the football.

Fans are not always privy to that level of detail. In the end, this may not be an even fight. Chargers starters are competing to impress a new head coach, while Rams depth players are fighting just for the right to continue into the regular season with the team. But there are several key points that fans can learn about this team in Game 2.

But how the team goes about winning Game 2 may not be one of them.

Thanks for reading.