(by Ross Jacobs)
Much like all the other good teams in the preseason, both these teams trotted out mostly their backups here, the Chiefs opting to throw the starters in for just one series on each side of the ball. Because of that there’s nothing we can really take away for the big picture. It was pretty vanilla stuff on both sides, just getting guys some reps, getting them used to hitting again.
One of the worst things you can do this time of year is try to read too much into the preseason rotations, how things look, etc., because most of it is just noise. You may occasionally find a nugget of something that matters, but generally we’re just seeing ghosts, especially in the first game or two. Maybe once the starters are out there we can try to draw a few more solid conclusions, but even then it’s dicey. Just because there is information coming in does not mean that the information is useful…
-- Ty Simpson for example…everyone is trying to make a huge deal about his near flawless stats in this game, but if you just look around the league, almost every young QB is doing the same thing. I guarantee you they are not all going to be their team’s next franchise QB, and yet that is exactly what the media and telecasts are trying to sell you. It’s total BS.
Simpson was fine. He was working against backups, faced almost no pressure, and most of his completions were either wide open one-read throws off of a bootleg or else he was sitting in the pocket with all day to throw during a 2-minute drill and just taking the checkdown in the flat.
The only real thing I saw with him was how small he looked and how mediocre his arm is. It’s good enough for the NFL and he is definitely accurate, but that will only get you so far these days. Can he play? Sure. Can he be a starter someday? Probably. But I didn’t see anything here that made me sit up or even mildly intrigue me. He looked like Andy Dalton. Great 13th overall pick.
Stetson Bennett was doing the exact same things as Simpson except he’s got a stronger arm and is a bit less accurate.
Garrett Nussmeier? No thanks. Small and erratic. Accuracy was all over the place.
-- Ok I know everyone wants to hear about how great and wonderful Puka Nacua…I mean Cyrus Allen is, but I just don’t see it. He played most of the game here, with the backups I might add, and didn’t really stand out to me. He was fine, better than some on the team, but future star? Immediate #1 on the team? You’ve got to be out of your mind.
He’s small, just an ok athlete, runs good routes against man coverage, and his hands are very good. He’s useful…not a star. Sorry.
Allen wasn’t even the best receiver playing for KC here. That would be second year receiver Andrew Armstrong for my money. Armstrong is nearly 6’4”, moves well for his size, and nearly had a monster game if Nussmeier could get the ball out on time. He’s mostly just a downfield boundary guy, but he’s good at it.
On the Rams side I thought both Brennan Presley and Xavier Smith looked just as good or better than Cyrus Allen as well. Why on earth he’s getting the hype while they are totally ignored is beyond me.
RC NOTE: For the record, I still like Cyrus a lot more than Ross does. I have not left the faith... How good he’ll be is definitely up for debate, but I’m on the side that he’s going to be pretty good/a starter/a possible great connection with Mahomes.
-- I thought at first that Brashard Smith ran with the backups and then was replaced by Emmett Johnson, but Smith actually came back into the game after Johnson had a good amount of work. Perhaps they are competing for RB2? If so I think Johnson is going to win that battle sooner rather than later. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s simply the better runner of the football with good vision, instincts, and quick feet. Not a star but a useful backup.
-- There were some TikTok “analysts” hyping up Jadyn Ott over the summer after some images emerged of him looking absolutely rocked up with muscle, but as RC and I warned at the time, he’s a complete nothing. Too stiff, too slow, no instincts.
-- And how is nobody talking about Rams rookie RB Dean Connors scoring 2 TDs? He was the best RB on the field for either side, a guy I was super interested in from the Shrine Bowl where he was my top-rated back. He was very productive at Rice and Houston, particularly as a receiver, and he showed that off here with 4 receptions, two of them going for TDs, one on a screen and the other on an angle route out of the backfield.
I was a bit concerned if his athleticism would translate, but he definitely belongs. He’ll never be a high volume runner, but he could definitely be a useful receiver. He could be the next Danny Woodhead.
-- Rams rookie TE Max Klare had 7 receptions with Simpson, but it was nothing exciting, just basic checkdowns. Maybe he grows into something more, maybe not. I don’t think we can take anything away from this performance just yet.
What GEMINI researched was the top 10 MAINSTREAM takeaways from this game...
Based on coverage from major national sports outlets (ESPN, NFL Network, CBS Sports) alongside dedicated team media and film breakdown sources (Rams Wire, Chiefs On SI, Yahoo Sports, and team beat reports), here are the top 10 takeaways and observations from the Los Angeles Rams' 20–12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
1. Rookie QB Ty Simpson Looked Poised and Commandingly Efficient
First-round rookie quarterback Ty Simpson stole the spotlight in his NFL debut. After taking over for Stetson Bennett, Simpson demonstrated exceptional pocket awareness and footwork, finishing 21-of-25 passing for 190 yards and 2 touchdown passes (both to tailback Dean Connors). Head coach Sean McVay praised his processing and willingness to take what the defense provided.
2. KC Undrafted Rookie Guard Kahlil Benson Continued His Roster Push
One of the summer's biggest surprises for Kansas City has been undrafted free agent tackle/guard Kahlil Benson. With starter Trey Smith banged up, Benson earned the start at right guard and played exclusively with the first-team unit on the opening possession. Media outlets noted the coaching staff's clear trust in his development and physical demeanor.
3. Rookie Tight End Max Klare Emerged as a High-Volume Safety Valve
Rookie tight end Max Klare quickly established himself as a reliable target in Los Angeles' short-to-intermediate passing game. Klare hauled in 7 of his team-high 8 targets for 37 yards, showcasing smooth route-running and soft hands that fit seamlessly into McVay’s system.
4. Chiefs’ Day 3 Rookie Backs (Emmett Johnson & Brashard Smith) Stole the Backfield Show
With Kenneth Walker III rested and backup Emari Demercado used sparingly, Kansas City’s young backs shined. Fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson ran hard and displayed elite contact balance, racking up 59 rushing yards on 12 carries (alongside a touchdown wiped out by a penalty). Meanwhile, 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith flashed dual-threat explosiveness both as a receiver and on a 13-yard punt return.
5. Garrett Nussmeier Handled Long-Yardage Situations Well in Debut
Rookie seventh-round quarterback Garrett Nussmeier took over the Chiefs' offense in the second half and led an impressive 11-play, 51-yard scoring drive ending in a 59-yard Harrison Butker field goal. Nussmeier finished 13-of-19 for 98 yards, drawing compliments from Andy Reid for handling tough behind-the-chains down-and-distance scenarios with composure.
6. Xavier Smith Provided an Explosive Special Teams Spark
Wide receiver Xavier Smith provided the marquee non-offensive highlight of the afternoon for the Rams, ripping off a game-changing 40-yard punt return down to the Kansas City 23-yard line. The return fired up the Rams' bench and set up one of Los Angeles' two second-half touchdown drives.
7. Edge Rusher R Mason Thomas Highlighted Kansas City's Youth Movement
The Chiefs' defensive front showcased promising draft capital investments. Second-round pass rusher R Mason Thomas applied quick, relentless edge pressure on a crucial third-and-goal snap, forcing a throwaway that prevented a touchdown, while also making noise against the run.
8. Stetson Bennett Settled In After an Unsteady First Series
Starting under center for Los Angeles, Stetson Bennett went three-and-out on his opening drive before bouncing back on his second series. Bennett marched the Rams 73 yards on 13 plays, completing 4 of 6 passes for 38 yards to set up a Harrison Mevis field goal before handing over the keys to Simpson.
9. Third-Year Safety Jaden Hicks Anchored Kansas City’s First-Half Defense
Defensive back Jaden Hicks was a force in the secondary during the first two quarters, leading the Chiefs with 7 tackles. His premier highlight came late in the first quarter, crashing downhill at the goal line to break up a would-be touchdown pass and limiting Los Angeles to field goals early on.
10. Frontline Offensive Line Injuries Created Shuffled Depth
Injuries impacted both trenches early. Rams starting rookie right tackle Keagen Trost was forced out in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, forcing Blake Hance into action. For Kansas City, offensive tackle Chu Godrick left early with an ankle issue, giving beat writers plenty to analyze regarding second-team trench depth.
===========================
