Rams chose wisely in passing on Zach Wilson reclamation project

The Los Angeles Rams shut down New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler by a score of 34-0 in preseason game No. 2. That denied any clear winner in the Saints' competition to determine who has earned the right to back up starter Tyler Shough.

For the record, Wilson played the first half for the Saints. He ended the game at 6-of-13 for 55 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, one sack for an eight-yard loss, and four runs for 19 yards.

The game illustrated an organizational contrast: as Rams fans find newfound confidence in Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson, the Saints QB room is drowning in a uncertainty. Neither veteran has shown the growth to suggest he is ready to be the next man up.

It's difficult to come away not feeling fortunate that LA passed on rehabbing Wilson years earlier.

Rams were once linked to Zach Wilson as a QB solution

Until 2026, quarterback controversy had disappeared in LA since the team flipped Jared Goff and a package of draft picks to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Matthew Stafford.

This year, many fans and analysts balked when the Rams took Simpson with the 13th pick. The conflict didn't end there. Conspiracy theories emerged when Simpson honored his oath of secrecy even after being drafted.

Then, when Simpson finally had the opportunity to play in preseason, his harshest critics suddenly about-faced and argued for his promotion to QB2.

It's all been fun, especially when you compare how the Horns have struggled to find meaningful talent behind Stafford since 2021. LA has rifled through veterans Jimmy Garoppolo, Carson Wentz, Baker Mayfield, John Wolford, and Bryce Perkins.

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.

Wilson, a former No. 2 overall pick now entering Year 6, is struggling in New Orleans. LA's quarterback room is not.

As always, thanks for reading.

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