Stetson Bennett leads Rams as starting quarterback in preseason opener

In the United States, the Los Angeles Rams are preparing for their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, scheduled for Saturday. Head coach Sean McVay announced during a press conference that Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will be the starting quarterback for this game. This decision comes as the Rams look to evaluate their quarterback depth, especially with Matthew Stafford as the primary starter and Jimmy Garoppolo not being re-signed. Bennett has not yet played in a regular-season game but had a strong preseason performance last year, completing 69 percent of his passes for 512 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 105.7. The Rams also have rookie quarterback Ty Simpson making his preseason debut in this game, but he will enter after Bennett. Additionally, the Rams have another rookie quarterback, Matthew Caldwell, on their roster. Under McVay's leadership, the Rams have typically not played their starters during the preseason, focusing instead on evaluating younger players and backups. Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase will take on the role of offensive play-caller for this game, a shift from McVay's usual responsibilities during the regular season. This preseason opener is crucial for the Rams as they aim to solidify their quarterback situation and prepare for the upcoming regular season.