Rookie debut gives Rams reason to second-guess shocking draft gamble

The Los Angeles Rams have not even seen Ty Simpson take an NFL snap yet, but another rookie quarterback has already provided an uncomfortable glimpse at what they might have passed on.

Pittsburgh Steelers third-round pick Drew Allar delivered an impressive preseason debut Thursday, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground in a 28-9 win over Green Bay. He led Pittsburgh to touchdowns on all three of his possessions and finished with a 154.8 passer rating.

It is only preseason, against backups, and far too early to declare anything about either quarterback’s career.

But the contrast may be difficult for the Rams to ignore.

Los Angeles used the No. 13 overall pick on Simpson, making the former Alabama quarterback one of the biggest surprises of the first round. Pittsburgh waited until No. 76 to take Allar.

The Simpson pick generated immediate backlash because the Rams are trying to win a Super Bowl with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and could have used that premium selection on a player capable of helping them do just that

Allar’s first appearance only provides more ammunition for that argument.

The Penn State product looked comfortable working through reads, escaping pressure and throwing on the move. His first touchdown drive included a 75-yard completion to Kaden Wetjen before Allar finished it himself on the ground. He later engineered touchdown drives of 89 and 60 yards.

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Simpson will get his opportunity Saturday against Kansas City, but he is entering his debut in a much different position.

Sean McVay announced that Stetson Bennett IV will start the preseason opener, with Simpson playing afterward. Bennett has received much of the work behind Stafford during camp, turning what once appeared to be a straightforward developmental year for Simpson into an actual competition for the QB2 job.

That battle carries added importance given Stafford’s age and the questions Los Angeles has already faced about its backup quarterback situation.

Simpson’s limited experience was always part of the projection. He made only 15 college starts before Los Angeles bet that McVay, Stafford and time could turn him into the franchise’s long-term answer.

Nothing Allar did Thursday changes that plan.

But first-round quarterbacks are inevitably compared to the players selected after them, particularly when someone available 63 picks later looks immediately comfortable.

Allar has given Pittsburgh a promising first impression.

Now Simpson gets his chance to keep Rams fans from wondering whether Los Angeles paid first-round prices for the wrong quarterback.