Ty Simpson Looks Like a Steal: Rams Rookie Baller in 2-TD Debut
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Remember when the Rams raised eyebrows by grabbing Ty Simpson in the first round? Yeah, about that. The former Alabama gunslinger just made the doubters look silly in his preseason debut, carving up the Chiefs on Saturday with a surgical 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
Sure, most of that came against the backups' backups. But you can only play the guys across from you, and Simpson played them like a fiddle. He found Dean Connors twice in the end zone, showed off that poise, and led the Rams to a 20-12 win at Arrowhead. Not a bad first NFL impression.
“I definitely felt more comfortable than I ever had coming into a game, but I also didn't know what to expect,” Simpson said. “The guys did a great job. So happy for our team. And on to next week.”
Head coach Sean McVay was glowing after the rookie's extended run — Simpson played more than two quarters after Stetson Bennett handled the first frame (4-of-6, 36 yards).
“I thought he took what the defense gave him. I thought he read the plays out, read with his feet. I thought he did a really good job overall,” McVay said. “I thought he kept the ball in play. That's the biggest thing, keeping the ball in play.”
QB Carousel in KC
Chiefs fans didn't get much of Patrick Mahomes — just the coin toss, really. Justin Fields got the backup nod and was perfect in his single quarter, going 4-for-4. After that, seventh-rounder Garrett Nussmeier took the reins, completing 13-of-19 for 98 yards. Fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson was the real spark, though, grinding out 59 yards on 12 carries.
“A lot of learning lessons,” Johnson said. “A lot of things to get better from.”
Preseason Shenanigans
Remember Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones saying he didn't want to play in the preseason? Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo heard that loud and clear — and put him out there for exactly one snap. The first one. Done. Message received.
McVay went even further, trotting out third-stringers on both sides of the ball. Andy Reid, meanwhile, actually got his money's worth by challenging a play — and winning. Tight end Jared Wiley's toe-tapping grab along the sideline survived replay.
Penalty Problems
The Chiefs' backups were their own worst enemy, getting flagged 12 times for 83 yards and killing promising drives. Predictably, the fear of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's wrath loomed large afterward.
“It's going to be hell, for sure,” running back Brashard Smith said. “We have to clean those up.”
Also of note: Arrowhead Stadium got its old name back and is back to full capacity after the World Cup rearranged seating. And Rams third-round pick Keagen Trost left with a hamstring injury in the first quarter after drawing the start at right tackle.
Bottom line? The Rams' first-round gamble already looks like a potential payday. Simpson's got that it-factor, and Los Angeles might have found their QB of the future.