Why Rams QB Ty Simpson Hasn’t Separated From Stetson Bennett — And Why That’s Okay
Why Rams QB Ty Simpson Hasn’t Separated From Stetson Bennett — And Why That’s Okay
Ty Simpson hasn’t separated from Stetson Bennett in the Rams’ backup quarterback competition, but that shouldn’t be a concern this early in the offseason.Blaine Grisak|
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Los Angeles RamsWhile the Los Angeles Rams may not publicly advertise a quarterback battle behind Matthew Stafford during training camp, all eyes will be on Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson. With many in the media disagreeing with the Rams taking Simpson with the 13th overall pick, tthere will be those doing what they can to fit a personal narrative.
Anything that comes out about Simpson, especially negative, will almost certainly go viral and create headlines. That’s exactly what happened this week when The Athletic’s Nate Atkins reported that neither Simpson nor Bennett has separated themselves so far in the battle for QB2.
Neither Ty Simpson nor Stetson Bennett has been able to separate in the Rams' QB2 battle, per @NateAtkins_
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) June 24, 2026
With Jimmy Garoppolo leaning toward retirement, the Rams view the backup QB role as a "significant" need behind Matthew Stafford.
(via @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/T9q4s6VNkm
Almost immediately, the headline took on a shape of its own with many going back to questioning the pick in the first place. “The Rams could have taken Makai Lemon or Kenyon Sadiq” or “What do you mean the 13th overall pick can’t beat out a former fourth-round selection?”
It wasn’t reported that Simpson had performed poorly or that the Rams weren’t happy with his development. In fact, McVay stated the opposite, “Ty, like the rest of the rookies, are doing a really nice job but overall, I’ve been really pleased.”
We’re not even into July and the narratives being spun up are already becoming exhausting.
At this point in the offseason, something like this shouldn’t even be a storyline. The Rams have only had a handful of practices and only two of them have been open to the media. As head coach Sean McVay noted in a press conference before one of those media sessions, “Again, this isn’t real football until we put the pads on.”
Right now, quarterbacks are essentially throwing against air as there’s minimal contact. Players are learning the system as it's being installed and taking it from the classroom to the football field. At the end of the day, Simpson is in his first few months of the system while Bennett is in year four.
It would be extremely concerning for Bennett and how he’s been developed over three years if he was falling behind. An argument can be made that it says more about Bennett not being ahead than it does about Simpson.
While the media may hype up a quarterback competition between Simpson and Bennett, it simply doesn’t exist in the way that many want to think of it. That’s not to say that the two players aren’t competing. McVay made it very clear when the Rams drafted Simpson that he would compete with Bennett.
With that said, Simpson is on his own development path. It shouldn’t be that difficult to grasp. The Rams aren’t going to rush him along as he’s a long-term investment. When the preseason depth chart releases in a few months, Simpson will almost certainly be listed behind Bennett. It’s how the Rams typically handle rookies. Almost certainly, as this report from Atkins did, that headline will blow up and take on a life of its own as well.
Simply put, there is nothing to be concerned about right now when it comes to Simpson. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported, “If (the Raiders) stay true to their word, even if Cousins were to get injured early in the season, they'd probably rather play Aidan O'Connell over Mendoza.”
Much like the Raiders and Mendoza, the Rams understand that Simpson is still in the early stages of his development and they have no plans to speed up the process.
If Simpson struggles throughout the preseason and doesn’t appear comfortable, there may be some cause for concern. However, it seems early to overreact over a handful of OTA practices.
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BLAINE GRISAKBlaine Grisak is the Lead Publisher for Rams on SI covering the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to joining On Sports Illustrated, he covered the Rams for TurfShow Times, attending events such as the NFL Draft, NFL Combine, and Senior Bowl. A graduate of Northeastern University, Blaine grew up in Montana.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
