These choices drew attention for contrasting reasons. The team had only recently reacquired Atwell, trading for him less than two weeks earlier in a move that broadened the receiver corps. Rams head coach Sean McVay had publicly kept the backup quarterback situation close to the vest in the run-up to the opener, declining to designate Bennett or Simpson as the clear No. 2 behind Stafford until game day.
Rams Scratch Tutu Atwell After Trade
Atwell’s absence stands out, especially given the timing of his return to the Rams. The team had brought him back from the Miami Dolphins in late August, sending running back Jarquez Hunter to Miami in the deal. The Rams described the acquisition as a chance to “add depth to the receiver room,” reflecting their intention to bolster the receiving corps ahead of the regular season.
Despite a healthy Week 1 injury report that did not list Atwell, he remained inactive, effectively a healthy scratch. The timing is notable because McVay had spoken publicly about Atwell settling into the offense and earning a role, signaling that he could contribute after his return. The move left the Rams with veteran receivers such as Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, among others, still available for the opener while Atwell waited for his first opportunity since rejoining the team.
Atwell spent his first five NFL seasons with the Rams after they selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft. He posted 105 receptions for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns across 64 games in that initial stint. Last season’s production was more modest, with six receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown over 10 appearances. With Atwell out, the Rams leaned on their other active receivers to supply the Week 1 producing potential.
Bennett Gets Week 1 QB2 Nod Over Ty Simpson
The inactive list also clarified questions McVay had left open about the team’s quarterback depth heading into the season. While the Rams’ unofficial depth chart had listed Bennett as the primary backup behind Stafford and Simpson as the third quarterback, McVay described the arrangement as a “2A, 2B” scenario before Week 1 and indicated the actual backup would be revealed on game day.
Simpson’s designation as the emergency third quarterback settles the Week 1 decision. Under the NFL’s emergency quarterback rule, a team must have two quarterbacks on the active game-day roster before designating a third as the emergency option, who can enter the game only if the first two quarterbacks become unavailable. With Simpson as the emergency option, Bennett becomes Stafford’s immediate backup for the matchup against San Francisco.
This choice carries significance given Simpson’s preseason showing. The No. 13 overall pick completed 47 of 60 passes for 382 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions across three games. Bennett, by contrast, has spent multiple seasons within McVay’s system and handled much of the second-team workload this summer, taking first-team reps when Stafford rested.
McVay has warned that the quarterback arrangement could evolve as the season progresses. For Week 1, Bennett holds the No. 2 role, and Atwell watches from the sideline as he waits for his next chance after rejoining the team.
In the broader context of the Rams’ offense, the decisions reflect a balance between experience and potential, depth at receiver, and the management of quarterback preparedness. The team is counting on players like Nacua and Adams to anchor the receiving corps, while Bennett’s early-season role provides insurance behind Stafford. The Rams’ approach underscores an emphasis on depth and strategic roster management as they begin the season against a formidable division rival.
Notes:
– Tutu Atwell was inactive for Week 1 despite no injury designation, following his trade-reinstatement to the Rams.
– Ty Simpson was designated as the emergency third quarterback, with Stetson Bennett serving as the active No. 2 behind Matthew Stafford.
– The Rams acquired Atwell from the Miami Dolphins in late August, aiming to add depth to the receiver group.
