Unheralded Rams quarterback can carve out role without cracking 53-man roster

The chances for any undrafted rookie quarterback to carve out a spot on the Los Angeles Rams' roster are never high. But then, fighting an uphill climb is the story of Matthew Caldwell's football career. After backing up Arch Manning at Texas in 2025, the well-traveled passer signed with the Rams to be the fourth quarterback on the depth chart behind Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, and Ty Simpson.

It's not that Caldwell lacks talent. He actually offers compelling skills and experience that could crystallize into a lengthy NFL career somewhere, sometime. It's just that, for now, he is unlikely to get the resources required to unlock his full potential. The Rams face more pressing quarterback priorities.

For one, they have to ascertain whether Stetson Bennett is the default backup or if Simpson, a rookie, can compete for that role.

Meanwhile, Caldwell will work with the least experienced players in drills and training camp, without the benefit of first-team reps. Even when preseason rolls around, he probably won't see much playing time beyond a cleanup role in Game 3, when Los Angeles tends to trot out bubble players unlikely to make the roster.

Why Rams may consider signing Caldwell to the practice squad

While Caldwell may not pique fan curiosity, he wound up on the roster for good reason. And if the Rams really lean into their philosophy of addressing both win-now versus win-tomorrow goals, then Caldwell can play a vital role feeding reps to young offensive weapons. That might not be much, but it's definitely worth something.

Caldwell himself is the antithesis of a typical Rams rookie. Most prospects get their shot in Los Angeles due to solid game film. Caldwell didn't get the team much data to work with, completing eight of eleven passes for 85 yards and one touchdown in his single season at Texas.

But while he didn't take the field often, he mastered the fundamentals needed to succeed at the position, aspects like weekly preparation, film study, defensive analysis, and reading through his progressions.

Side note: he's also a bit more athletic than you might expect. Last season for the Longhorns, he rushed twice for 64 yards. While starting for Troy in 2024, he even caught a 29-yard pass.

Caldwell won't make the roster. For a Rams organization that, before drafting Simpson, was desperate for both depth and young talent at quarterback, he simply isn't a needle-mover. Undrafted quarterbacks in particular tend not to be.

But if Caldwell shows enough football IQ, he could carve out a spot on the practice squad. After all, aside from Stafford, the Rams only have Simpson under contract at the position past 2026.

QB continuity is never a bad thing. Keeping Caldwell around to learn the system and work out other young playmakers could suit the Horns just fine.

As always, thanks for reading.

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