Stafford Opens 18th Rams Camp, Eyes Super Bowl After 4,707-Yard Season

Q: With Jimmy Garoppolo gone, who will survive the Rams' intense quarterback battle to secure the crucial role behind Matthew Stafford?

Stetson Bennett appears to have the inside track for now, but the Rams have not settled the battle and Ty Simpson remains very much in it. The clearest evidence is Sean McVay’s usage and comments. Bennett handled most of the second-team reps in the latest public practice, which suggests he is slightly ahead in the immediate competition. McVay has also praised Bennett’s growth, particularly his command of the huddle and mobility, and Bennett has the advantage of spending more time in the Rams’ system. At the same time, the competition is unresolved. McVay has explicitly said he does not want to lock into a fixed backup rotation, and Simpson will continue to mix in. Multiple camp and offseason reports indicate neither quarterback has separated decisively. Nate Atkins of The Athletic reported that neither stood out in OTA work, while other camp observations described Simpson as sharper and more efficient on an earlier day. That split assessment fits the broader picture: Bennett looks more ready now, Simpson may offer the higher long-term upside. The practical answer is that Bennett is the safer bet to open as Matthew Stafford’s No. 2 because of experience in the offense and his current rep share. But if Simpson’s development accelerates in preseason games, the rookie could still overtake him. For the moment, the Rams’ backup job is Bennett’s to hold, not Bennett’s to claim outright.

3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Jul 28

Matthew Stafford returned for his first Rams training-camp practice Monday after a planned day off and said the roster around him makes this season feel like a real Super Bowl opportunity.
4,707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and just eight interceptions last season fueled that optimism, but Stafford and Sean McVay stressed that star names alone will not win games.
Los Angeles spent the offseason fixing the defense that faltered in the NFC title loss, adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson before landing Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade.
At 38, Stafford remains the hinge point of the Rams' championship window, so McVay said the team will cut his camp workload roughly in half to protect his back and keep him fresh for Week 1.