Unenviable question that will define Rams training camp is all too obvious

Aside from the potential return of Aaron Donald, the primary storyline of Los Angeles Rams training camp will, of course, surround the quarterback competition between Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson. OTAs offered precious little to evaluate - just three open practices. What evidence there was did not alleviate concerns.

Training camp will tell Ram fans a lot more. Not only will it be important for one of Bennett or Simpson to separate from the other, the proclaimed 'winner' of the competition must prove ready to assume the backup role by Week 1. 

That unenviable question is one that, whether Donald returns or not, will define Ram training camp in the coming weeks.

Rams precariously reliant on Bennett-Simpson battle to yield backup QB

Head coach Sean McVay would rather have his answer by preseason, which Los Angeles typically reserves for players not expected to hold significant roles in the rotation. That verdict needn't be set in stone, but he'd love to have a good enough idea to be more conservative, reps-wise, with whoever he expects to ultimately win the job. 

In a perfect world, that would be Simpson. For one thing, it would get the naysayers off the Rams' back about how they 'wasted' their first-round pick on Simpson. More pragmatically, it would allow them to carry two quarterbacks, not three, on the active roster, freeing up a spot for a more likely contributor.

That's not an option if Bennett is tagged as QB2, as the Rams are not about to stash Simpson on the practice squad - he'd never clear waivers in the first place. Bennett may not, either, but considering that he hasn't played a snap in three seasons with the team, that's a sacrifice LA can live with if Simpson proves capable of playing QB2. 

Unfortunately, McVay indicated explicitly that Rams rookies were a bit behind the curve during OTAs. As concerning as it is that Bennett, a fourth-year veteran, could not separate from the rookie Simpson, as things stand now it feels more likely that, all else being equal, the team would give the edge to Bennett for his experience in the system.

Even if he beats out Simpson, it's not safe to assume that would be enough for the Rams to feel comfortable penciling him in as QB2. Would Jimmy Garoppolo be willing to unretire if McVay gives him a call and relays a desperate state of affairs? Would the Rams rather pick over the scraps in free agency?

Given Matthew Stafford's age and injury concerns, it's critical that his backup is someone McVay can count on to spot-start for a game or even just a series if Stafford takes a trip to the blue medical tent mid-drive. Hopefully the No. 2 quarterback is already on the roster, but that remains to be seen.

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