Ty Simpson didn't just have a great first NFL game; he had a historic one. The Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback became the first player since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to throw for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason debut, according to ESPN. Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes with no turnovers or sacks in his first NFL action against the Chiefs.
Head coach Sean McVay said afterward that Simpson had "good command" of the offense, adding that he took what the defense gave him. Simpson himself stayed measured discussing the outing, saying that he still has a lot to learn about the offense.
The comparison to Mayfield's 2018 debut, where the ex-Browns quarterback completed 11-of-20 for 212 yards and two touchdowns without an interception against the Giants, is notable given how that game is remembered. Mayfield's rookie flash launched a run that included four teams in seven seasons. He played four seasons in Cleveland before a 2020 trade to the Panthers, a waiver claim by the Rams, and eventually a landing spot in Tampa Bay, where he's been the starting quarterback for the past three seasons.
Simpson's situation should look different by design. Los Angeles drafted him as the presumptive successor to Matthew Stafford, meaning his path, if things go according to plan, is a matter of patience rather than a search for the right fit.
Despite the strong debut, Simpson still technically needs to beat out Stetson Bennett for the No. 2 job behind Stafford, and he won't crack the starting lineup barring injury. The Rams will get more chances to evaluate his growth as the preseason continues, with his workload in a potential third preseason game offering another data point on where he stands in the quarterback pecking order heading into roster cuts.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Ty Simpson joins Baker Mayfield as only QBs to do this in preseason