Rams vs Saints: 5 Breakout Stars Fighting for Roster Spots
Rams Quarterback Simpson Impresses in Preseason Action
Who Is Simpson and Why Does He Matter?
Imagine you’re learning to play quarterback in football. You don’t start as the superstar—you practice with the backup team, hoping the coaches notice you. That’s exactly where Simpson is right now.
He’s a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams trying to prove he belongs on the real team. Last week, he got his chance to shine in a preseason game (that’s like a practice game before the real season starts).
How Did He Do Against the Chiefs?
IMPRESSIVE STATS ALERT
In just three quarters of playing time (that’s most of the game, but not all of it), Simpson put up numbers that would make any coach smile:
- 21 completions out of 25 throws — that’s 84% accuracy!
- 190 passing yards — almost two football fields worth of throwing
- 2 touchdowns — the ultimate goal in football
- Zero interceptions — he didn’t give the ball to the other team even once
In simple terms: He threw the ball where it needed to go, when it needed to be there, and good things happened.
What Happened at Joint Practice with the Saints?
Think of joint practice like a super intense study session with another school. The Rams and New Orleans Saints practiced together—real hitting, real speed, real competition.
Here’s how the practice reps (practice turns) broke down for the second-team offense:
| Team | Reps Received |
|---|---|
| Simpson | 12 reps |
| Other QBs combined | 13 reps |
That means Simpson got nearly HALF of all the backup quarterback practice turns! Coaches don’t give that many reps to players they don’t trust.
What Does Coach McVay Think?
Sean McVay (the Rams’ head coach—the boss of the whole team) had glowing praise for Simpson after watching him throughout training camp:
The "Report Card" from Coach McVay:
- Huddle Command — "Excellent." He runs the huddle like a leader.
- Play Communication — He explains plays clearly so everyone knows their job.
- Decision Making — "He made the decisions that good quarterbacks make." Smart choices, not lucky ones.
- Timing & Rhythm — "Delivered the ball on time and in rhythm." The ball arrives when the receiver is ready.
- Recent Practice Performance — "Done a good job the last couple days."
McVay’s Bottom Line: "Biggest thing… let’s maximize the reps that you do get." Translation: Make every practice turn count.
What’s Next? SoFi Stadium Debut!
This week is huge for Simpson. He’ll make his first preseason appearance at SoFi Stadium (the Rams’ gorgeous home stadium) against the Saints.
It’s like:
- You’ve practiced piano in your bedroom (training camp)
- You played at a friend’s house (away game vs Chiefs)
- NOW: You’re performing at Carnegie Hall (SoFi Stadium debut)
Why This Matters for the Rams
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Rams already have a superstar quarterback (Matthew Stafford). But in the NFL, you need a reliable backup. If the starter gets hurt, the season doesn’t end—your backup steps in.
Simpson is auditioning for the most important backup job in football. And so far? He’s crushing the audition.
Summary
- Simpson dominated in limited preseason action vs Chiefs (84% completion, 2 TDs, 0 INTs)
- Earned major trust with 12/25 second-team reps in joint practice with Saints
- Coach McVay raved about his leadership, communication, decisions, and timing
- Big moment ahead: First SoFi Stadium preseason appearance vs Saints
- Goal: Lock down the #2 quarterback spot behind Matthew Stafford
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Simpson going to replace Matthew Stafford?
Nope! Stafford is the franchise quarterback. Simpson is competing to be the backup—the next man up if Stafford ever gets injured.
What does "second-team offense reps" mean?
NFL teams practice in groups. The "first team" = starters. The "second team" = backups. Getting 12 of 25 second-team reps means coaches want to see a LOT of Simpson against the other team’s backups.
Why are preseason games important if they don’t count?
They’re like scrimmages with real hitting. Coaches evaluate young players, test playbooks, and decide who makes the final 53-man roster. For Simpson, this is his job interview.
What does "huddle command" actually look like?
Picture 10 grown men looking at one guy in a noisy stadium. That guy (Simpson) has to:
- Call the play clearly
- Make sure everyone hears it
- Adjust if the defense looks tricky
- Keep everyone calm and focused
All in about 20 seconds. That’s huddle command.
When is the SoFi Stadium game against the Saints?
The article doesn’t give the exact date, but it’s "this week" from when the article was written. Check the Rams’ official schedule for the specific preseason game date and time!
Article based on Rams training camp reports and Coach McVay’s Tuesday press conference quotes.