INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) 鈥� Stetson Bennett cleared up the Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback situation a bit with another solid outing Saturday.
The Saints’ competition for the same job is still murky after Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler couldn’t stop New Orleans from getting blanked in the preseason.
Bennett passed for 181 yards and rushed for two TDs while leading the Rams to a 20-point halftime lead, and Alex Cook returned an interception 100 yards for a score as Los Angeles cruised to a 34-0 victory over the Saints.
to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford this season despite never playing in a regular-season game, but the former University of Georgia star turned in another in his history of strong preseason performances during his four seasons on the LA roster. He’s doing his best to assuage any concerns about entering the season as the top option behind the Rams’ 38-year-old leader.
鈥淚 think (Bennett) is just getting better and better, and part of it is just the overall command,鈥� Rams coach Sean McVay said. 鈥淚 thought he made some really good decisions, he got through some progressions, and then I loved that he used his legs.鈥�
Indeed, Bennett dived to the pylon for the Rams鈥� first touchdown, and he scored again on an alert scramble in the second quarter. He went 19 of 31 and led four substantial scoring drives while playing the entire first half for (2-0).
鈥淲e did good things on offense,鈥� Bennett said. 鈥淚 feel more comfortable out there than in years prior. … They’re constantly reminding me, especially in practice in the red zone, that if (a throw) is not there, then take off and run. I had that in my mind on the two scores. It was fun.鈥�
Ty Simpson finally got on the field for LA midway through the third quarter and went 8 of 12 for 73 yards, although he didn鈥檛 get the same chance to perform as he did in Kansas City.
The Saints didn鈥檛 play their presumptive starters for the second straight preseason game after spending the past week training on the West Coast with two joint practices, while the Rams continued McVay鈥檚 decade-long tradition of resting every key player possible for the entire preseason.
Saints QBs didn’t excel
The Saints (0-2) continued their quarterback competition with and Rattler playing one half apiece at SoFi Stadium, but neither prospective backup to Tyler Shough stood out.
Wilson started and went 6 of 12 for 55 yards, throwing an interception to AZ Hamilton.
鈥淚t was ugly, but I think a good opportunity to see how guys respond,” Wilson said. 鈥淚 was fine, especially for a preseason game. … I thought I got better in certain aspects (over the past week), and thought my understanding of this offense and what we鈥檙e trying to do has grown.鈥�
Rattler, who started 14 games over the past two seasons, moved the offense better than Wilson while facing the bottom of the Rams’ defensive depth chart in the second half 鈥� but his offense also made two goal-line turnovers.
Rattler led a long drive out of halftime before his goal-line throw to Treyton Welch was picked and taken all the way back by Cook, a safety who hasn鈥檛 played in the NFL since 2023.
Rattler led the Saints deep into Rams territory again, but impressive undrafted Rams rookie linebacker Wesley Bailey forced a fumble by Ty Chandler.
鈥淚 felt good out there, other than one play,鈥� Rattler said. 鈥淥bviously, we didn’t score any points, so you’ve got to be better in that area.鈥�
The Saints even attempted a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to avoid the shutout, but Tanner Brown missed.
鈥淚 feel really good about both those guys,鈥� Saints coach Kellen Moore said of his backup quarterbacks. “I thought they鈥檝e had really good camps overall.鈥�
An Alvin Kamara sighting
Saints running back Alvin Kamara went through a pregame workout, including some sprints. The veteran could be out for a month after spraining his knee Tuesday.
鈥淲e鈥檒l just let this thing take its course over the next few weeks, and we鈥檒l see where we鈥檙e at,鈥� Moore said. “But Alvin certainly is going to do everything he can do to be ready as much as he can.鈥�
Up next
The Saints finish their preseason Friday with a visit to the Cowboys less than two weeks after that led to $500,000 fines for each team. The Rams stay at SoFi as the road team against the Chargers on Thursday.
___
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
