Rams coach Sean McVay changed the script in the battle to back up star quarterback Matthew Stafford.
After rookie Ty Simpson played nearly all of the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Stetson Bennett got more opportunities Saturday against the New Orleans Saints.
And Bennett took advantage.
Bennett played the first half and led four scoring drives, two that he finished with touchdown runs in a 34-0 victory at SoFi Stadium.
Bennett, a fourth-year pro, completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and showed some of the mobility that was on display when he led Georgia to consecutive national titles.
Simpson aimed to build on his performance against the Chiefs, when he completed 21 of 25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. With the Saints dominating time of possession in the third quarter, Simpson got only three second-half series. He completed eight of 12 passes for 73 yards and led a touchdown drive.
So Bennett, by virtue of experience in the system and his performance Saturday, appears to have the edge to back up Stafford on a team that is favored to win Super Bowl LXI.
It remains to be seen how McVay handles the quarterback situation Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Chargers. Last season, Bennett was the No. 3 quarterback behind Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. But in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, Dresser Winn played the entire game.
In the days leading up to Saturday’s game against the Saints, Bennett and Simpson split second-team reps during the teams’ joint practice. Afterward, McVay talked about Bennett’s mobility and indicated that he would get more of a chance to show it on Saturday.
Bennett appeared far more confident than he did against the Chiefs, when the Rams went three-and-out on his first series against many defensive starters. Bennett finished his brief stint by leading a field-goal drive.
Against the Saints, a fourth-down false start penalty stunted the Rams’ first drive.
During the second series, Bennett threw arguably his best pass of the game — a deep shot that landed just out of receiver Tyler Scott’s reach. Despite penalties and a dropped pass, the Rams managed a field goal.
After Rams cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton intercepted a pass, Bennett led a 48-yard drive that he finished with a one-yard scramble to the right pylon for a touchdown.
On his next series, Bennett scrambled eight yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Receiver CJ Daniels catching on
After catching only two passes against the Chiefs, Daniels had eight receptions for 68 yards against the Saints.
The sixth-round draft pick, who played at Liberty, Louisiana State and Miami, was targeted 12 times in the first half. His longest reception went for 17 yards and helped set-up a field goal.
Jarquez Hunter finds the end zone
Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries.
Hunter would have amassed more yardage had two good runs not been nullified by penalties.
Wesley Bailey continues to impress
The Rams could be set at edge rusher, with star end Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart and Desjuan Johnson.
But the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Bailey, an undrafted free agent from Louisville, continues to impress. Bailey had a first-quarter sack, forced a third-quarter fumble and had four quarterback hits.
Secondary steps up
Hamilton intercepted a second-quarter pass by Zach Wilson that set up the Rams’ first touchdown.
In the third quarter, safety Alex Cook picked off a pass by Spencer Rattler at the goal line, and then returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.
Harrison Mevis making kicks
Mevis kicked two field goals, both from 26 yards. He has made all four of his preseason attempts.
Ethan Evans averaged 48.5 yards for two punts.
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