Rams' surprising Stetson Bennett choice makes sense in more ways than one

Until yesterday, all Los Angeles Rams fans knew about the quarterback situation for the preseason opener was that rookie Ty Simpson would play. Sean McVay remained noncommittal on whether Stetson Bennett, who won the QB2 job in training camp, would participate. 

It seemed like the answer would be no based on Bennett's status as the primary backup and the Rams' reluctance, approaching revulsion, to play anyone of note in a preseason game. It was somewhat surprising on Thursday, then, to hear McVay tag Bennett as the starter. 

How reps will be divvied up between Bennett and Simpson remains to be seen, but the announcement came as a curveball for those of us, which at this point was most of us, who did not expect to see Bennett this Saturday. In the end, it feels like the right move given his lack of experience and the important role the Rams will ask him to play this season for the first time in his career.

Rams fans were already lining up to see Simpson, so having a chance to see Bennett in action is a bonus.

Getting Bennett reps will benefit him and possibly Simpson, too

It's also a prime opportunity for the former fourth-rounder, who has yet to take an official snap, to work on his timing and reads and win over those still uncertain about entrusting him as QB2. 

From a practical perspective, Bennett could use the reps. Yes, he has spent over three years now in McVay's system, and yes, he dominated last preseason, but it will be important to keep ready to rock and roll now that the Rams need him to be more than an emergency QB3. 

The backup competition is for all practical purposes decided, so barring something truly remarkable, that won't be at stake in any real way. Rather, running out Bennett against the Chiefs will give him a live look at an opposing defense after facing his own Rams teammates all summer in practice. 

It's like reviewing your notes for the test, even if you already know the material, rather than going in cold. The pressure hikes up when the clock starts running. For Bennett and the Rams, the timer starts in the regular season.

There could be another, less obvious benefit, in that Simpson will have a chance to watch and learn - as he did during camp while Bennett took most of the reps - before taking the field himself. It also means that Simpson won't be asked to assume a full-game workload in his first-ever crack at facing an NFL defense in anything like an "in-game" setting. 

It's worth noting, again, that Simpson started for only a single season at Alabama. This NFL thing is new to him, so having Bennett lead the way could help him feel comfortable. As for Rams fans, we'll get the unexpected gift of game film on both backup QBs.

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