OFFICIAL 2026 Training Camp Thread

[majrleaged]

Bennett will 100% play this preseason. He’ll start the first game. He’s gotten every first team rep when Stafford has sat. If he plays poorly he’ll get cut. If he lights it up I’d say there’s a 50% chance he’s QB2 and a 50% chance he gets traded for a late round pick and we bring back Jimmy. A big part of me believes McSnead just think the ceiling is way too high for this team to have a backup that’s never taken a regular season snap. And even moreso with Ty because he played so little in college.

If both QBs for the Browns continue to absolutely suck, it wouldn’t shock me if Todd Monken was open to taking a flyer on Stetson. He did an interview earlier this summer where he was gushing about Stetson and said his biggest coaching regret ever was not committing to Stetson Bennett sooner at Georgia.

I agree with this, but I would have more urgency in making this decision. Take Jimmy G off the market now. The Rams have put too much on the line to risk loosing any chance at a ring on 1 injury. With this D and AD, a decent QB could be enough to win SB.

 

[PhillyRam]

I agree with this, but I would have more urgency in making this decision. Take Jimmy G off the market now. The Rams have put too much on the line to risk loosing any chance at a ring on 1 injury. With this D and AD, a decent QB could be enough to win SB.

Add Jimmy G, Decker, and AD, and I think they would be a near lock for at least the NFCCG barring a ton of injuries. I would then feel much better about them being the heavy favorite this year. Right now I fear that OT & QB injuries could derail them.

Even Jimmy G, with that D supporting him, can put up 24 a game and win.

 

[Merlin]

I don't think they can wait to see if someone gets hurt. Before the season they have to decide between having Bennett or Jimmy G on the roster.

Seems to me the Rams already made that decision.

Now that doesn't mean they won't change their mind. But again I'm not someone who holds Jimmy G on some pedestal of QB excellence. I've said it over and over: he's a QB who lives underneath. And we are all well aware that McVay doesn't want to live underneath. He prefers to stretch the field.

So to me Bennett's role is to function as a bridge QB2. And if you look at McVay's offense historically, he's shown an ability to survive with intelligent decision making even if the QB is not optimal. Kirk Cousins for example. And lastly I don't think there's some vast gulf between Jimmy and whoever else. I think once you get past the legit starter types you are splitting hairs and looking for traits that you prefer.

The fact the Rams chose Bennett is probably based on two things. First, he is cheaper. And secondly, he has the balls to consistently keep his eyes downfield. That's not to say he can see over the OL of course. But since we're talking backup role you're gonna be giving up something in the QB equation.

And then of course there is also the possiblity that Simpson shows enough to QB2 for us. I think it's somewhere around 60/40 for that to happen, because the Rams did make a significant investment in him and that matters. If he and Bennett are anywhere close in performance, then Simpson will win the job. Bennett has a lot of pressure on him right now. He has to slam dunk win that QB2 role.

 

[Spider2YB]

I think something to keep an eye on even moreso than the preseason games is what the rep share looks like in the joint practices vs Dallas and New Orleans when Stafford gets a break. If it’s a pretty even share between Stet and Ty, I think it’s an indication the battle is pretty open. But if Stetson gets 80% of those reps, that will tell you all you need to know. Jourdan has talked about how much stock McVay puts into those practices.

 

[dpjax]

Sorry guys, I was supposed to head out to training camp today but a deadline at work for this past Friday got pushed to today so more notes could be added. Now I have to scramble to implement the new notes by end of day.

 

[DeaconJones]

If MS9 goes down to injury or whatever, who would give us the best chance to win games? I think Jimmy G over Stetson or Ty. This is about the most naked go-for-it-all season we've ever had, and our biggest exposure to injury right now is at the most important position.

 

[PARAM]

A coach can't just plug a QB3 into all the snaps without eroding the good order and discipline of the roster. It would affect the mentality of the team overall as well, if the results are anything other than extraordinary. So McVay isn't going to take that level of risk to shove Simpson down the roster's throats.

The way it works is you reward the player with more importance as he earns it. Let that QB2 competition run its course. Start there, and see where it goes. Simpson doesn't need to be anything other than a redshirt this season. So there is no reason to push him up the depth chart. The players decide that on the field.

Playing him and sitting Bennett in the preseason isn't "pushing him up the depth chart" or "shoving Simpson down the roster's throat". It's protecting the #2 from injury and giving the #3 much needed experience. At least from my view. There's a very good chance Simpson passes Bennett in the very near future. 1st rounder vs 4th rounder (who could never grab the #2 spot) indicates as much. So why not give the kid as many reps as you can? It's not like they're looking at a dozen new guys on offense for 6 spots on the squad. The offense has been set since the end of the season last year, with the exception of the 4 draft picks......a backup OL, a #5 TE, a #6 WR and a #3 soon to be (2027) #2 QB. The one in question is the #6 WR....will he be #6 or #4 or #3? And that will be determined, I gotta believe, with #9 throwing him the ball

 

[WestCoastRam]

With everything that is on the line I would dump Bennet for Jimmy right now, but I am afraid with AD coming back and all the players coming due for contracts that the Rams are trying to get by without paying Jimmy.

Jimmy wants a starting job and therefore doesn't want to play for us. Rams would be okay with paying him a backup rate for a backup job.

That equation for the Rams and Jimmy can change as the season progresses. Let's hope it doesn't.

 

[PARAM]

Jimmy wants a starting job and therefore doesn't want to play for us. Rams would be okay with paying him a backup rate for a backup job.

That equation for the Rams and Jimmy can change as the season progresses. Let's hope it doesn't.

IIRC, when it was announced he wasn't retiring, part of the story mentioned opportunity, one way may be a QB injury. And who can blame him? Signing with the Rams, that's a bet for one guy. Without a contract it's betting the field. He may not beat out many #1 QBs but I'd bet there's a few #2's.

 

[DzRams]

And what are we basing this on? lol just gut feeling?

Either guess is gut feel.

 

[DzRams]

A coach can't just plug a QB3 into all the snaps without eroding the good order and discipline of the roster. It would affect the mentality of the team overall as well, if the results are anything other than extraordinary. So McVay isn't going to take that level of risk to shove Simpson down the roster's throats.

The way it works is you reward the player with more importance as he earns it. Let that QB2 competition run its course. Start there, and see where it goes. Simpson doesn't need to be anything other than a redshirt this season. So there is no reason to push him up the depth chart. The players decide that on the field.

Yeah, except McVay usually decides the pecking order before preseason. I don't think he's played QB2 one snap in preseason games.

Now, an argument can be made that this year is different and he will, but I don't think it's a strong argument.

 

[Allen2McVay]

One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

I am familiar with the Carvel Cake ... CookiePuss ...

... but I am guessing that your reference is to an entirely different Desert Item ... sounds delicious!

 

[HitStick]

Yeah, except McVay usually decides the pecking order before preseason. I don't he's played QB2 one snap in preseason games.

Now, an argument can be made that this year is different and he will, but I don't think it's a strong argument.

I think this may be a little bit of a different situation. Jimmy G had been to a Super Bowl.

He played:
Mannion in 17 and 18
QB2 both seasons

Bortles in 19
QB2

2020 had no preseason due to Covid

21 he only played Perkins and not Wolford
I can’t really remember who QB2 was

22 Perkins/Wolford
One of them was QB2

Really after that is when it kind of stops. 23 was Bennett getting some action, Wentz was eventually signed.

Then Jimmy G.



IMO this is completely new territory. I imagine both get reps. Besides, there is no way that they’ve solidified Bennett as QB2 before even practicing in pads. I imagine they keep the competition going until the final preseason game

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Jimmy wants a starting job and therefore doesn't want to play for us. Rams would be okay with paying him a backup rate for a backup job.

That equation for the Rams and Jimmy can change as the season progresses. Let's hope it doesn't.

I cant believe even Jimmy G HIMSELF thinks he can get a clear-cut starting job in this League with the way his Las Vegas tenure went. If Arizona didn't bite on him to start I doubt anyone will.

 

[DzRams]

I think this may be a little bit of a different situation. Jimmy G had been to a Super Bowl.

He played:
Mannion in 17 and 18
QB2 both seasons

Bortles in 19
QB2

2020 had no preseason due to Covid

21 he only played Perkins and not Wolford
I can’t really remember who QB2 was

22 Perkins/Wolford
One of them was QB2

Really after that is when it kind of stops. 23 was Bennett getting some action, Wentz was eventually signed.

Then Jimmy G.



IMO this is completely new territory. I imagine both get reps. Besides, there is no way that they’ve solidified Bennett as QB2 before even practicing in pads. I imagine they keep the competition going until the final preseason game

It may be different for the reasons you outlined, but pointing to his first years as HC aren't persuasive to me because I don't think he had started the not-playing-safe players at that time.

 

[Spider2YB]

Sounds like Bennett had another really good day. Took 100% of the QB2 reps per Sarah Bishop.

 

[majrleaged]

Seems to me the Rams already made that decision.

Now that doesn't mean they won't change their mind. But again I'm not someone who holds Jimmy G on some pedestal of QB excellence. I've said it over and over: he's a QB who lives underneath. And we are all well aware that McVay doesn't want to live underneath. He prefers to stretch the field.

So to me Bennett's role is to function as a bridge QB2. And if you look at McVay's offense historically, he's shown an ability to survive with intelligent decision making even if the QB is not optimal. Kirk Cousins for example. And lastly I don't think there's some vast gulf between Jimmy and whoever else. I think once you get past the legit starter types you are splitting hairs and looking for traits that you prefer.

The fact the Rams chose Bennett is probably based on two things. First, he is cheaper. And secondly, he has the balls to consistently keep his eyes downfield. That's not to say he can see over the OL of course. But since we're talking backup role you're gonna be giving up something in the QB equation.

And then of course there is also the possiblity that Simpson shows enough to QB2 for us. I think it's somewhere around 60/40 for that to happen, because the Rams did make a significant investment in him and that matters. If he and Bennett are anywhere close in performance, then Simpson will win the job. Bennett has a lot of pressure on him right now. He has to slam dunk win that QB2 role.

Yes Jimmy relies mostly underneath, but he has a lot of experience and is very mobile. There is proof he can lead a team to the SB with a talented team lead by good coaching. There is no proof that the other 2 have that ability yet. So I am nervous.

 

[Merlin]

Playing him and sitting Bennett in the preseason isn't "pushing him up the depth chart" or "shoving Simpson down the roster's throat".

It most definitely is.

Again if Simpson earns that, it's fine. But he has to show it on the field for that approach to work.

 

[Merlin]

Yes Jimmy relies mostly underneath, but he has a lot of experience and is very mobile. There is proof he can lead a team to the SB with a talented team lead by good coaching. There is no proof that the other 2 have that ability yet. So I am nervous.

If the Rams agreed with you, Jimmy would be in horns right now. So they have seen at the very least, via practices that we are not privy to, that there isn't a lot of dropoff or enough dropoff to make signing Jimmy worthwhile.

Now again maybe that changes. I'm not saying there isn't room for Bennett and Simpson to underwhelm. And if that happens then I agree Jimmy is an obvious option. But I have never gotten the Jimmy love. Running Ratboy's scheme is totally different from running McVay's scheme. In McVay's scheme the chains are moved for the most part by the QB's arm and he often forgets about his run game. Shanny has an entire offensive focus of getting to 30 runs.

This is why none of their disinterest in Jimmy surprises me. We'll see where it goes from here though.

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/apg3D6kePiM?si=xds2MfOZjI97sWbV