Ty Simpson Goes 21-of-25 with 2 TDs in Rams Preseason Debut Win Over Chiefs

Rookie Ty Simpson threw two touchdown passes to Dean Connors and finished with 190 yards in his first NFL appearance against Kansas City.

Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The former Alabama standout, selected in the first round as the second quarterback taken in the April draft, connected on both scoring strikes with Dean Connors. Simpson played more than two quarters at Arrowhead Stadium, primarily facing third- and fourth-string defenders while leading the Rams' offense.

Stetson Bennett, the projected backup to starter Matthew Stafford, played a single quarter and finished 4-of-6 for 36 yards. Following Bennett's exit, Simpson took over the huddle, demonstrating poise that Rams coach Sean McVay attributed to his ability to read plays with his feet and keep the ball in play. The rookie signal-caller noted he felt more comfortable than expected during his first taste of NFL action, despite the initial surprise surrounding his high draft selection.

Chiefs Quarterback Rotation and Mahomes Rehab

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared only for the coin toss as he continues to recover from knee surgery. While the two-time MVP is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, the Chiefs utilized Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier under center. Fields, signed due to uncertainty regarding Mahomes' availability for Week 1, completed all four of his pass attempts during his lone quarter of play.

Garrett Nussmeier, a seventh-round draft pick, handled the majority of the snaps for the Chiefs, finishing 13-of-19 for 98 yards. The Kansas City ground game was led by fifth-round selection Emmett Johnson, who recorded 59 rushing yards on 12 carries. Despite the loss, Johnson described the performance as a series of learning lessons for the young roster.

Defensive Snaps and Coaching Challenges

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo utilized All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones for exactly one snap—the first of the game—after Jones publicly stated he did not wish to play in the preseason. Conversely, Sean McVay opted to sit his first- and second-team units entirely, starting the contest with third-string players on both sides of the ball.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid successfully challenged an incompletion ruling in the first half. Replay officials overturned the call after determining tight end Jared Wiley successfully completed a toe-tapping catch along the Los Angeles sideline. However, the Chiefs struggled with discipline, accumulating 12 penalties for 83 yards, a total largely attributed to the backup offensive line. Running back Brashard Smith acknowledged that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would likely be demanding during Monday's practice to address these errors.

Injury Reports and Stadium Updates

Los Angeles suffered a setback in the first quarter when rookie offensive tackle Keagen Trost exited with a hamstring injury. Trost, a third-round pick from Missouri, started the game at right tackle in place of Warren McClendon Jr. The severity of the injury was not immediately disclosed following the game.

Saturday marked a return to tradition for the venue, which reverted to the name Arrowhead Stadium after previously being known as GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The facility was restored to its original seating configuration following the summer's World Cup matches, which required the removal of lower rows on the visiting side and sections of the upper home stands. The stadium hosted six international matches during the offseason, including a quarterfinal round.