5 Rams-Chargers battles to watch for that could decide who survives final cuts

There is an inherent contradiction surrounding Thursday night’s preseason game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

The two teams have plenty they still need to learn about themselves, and almost nothing they want to teach each other.

The Rams are among the favorites to win Super Bowl LXI. The Chargers are considered contenders themselves.

These teams will meet again in Week 8, so don’t expect Sean McVay or Jim Harbaugh to empty their playbook in a meaningless game in August. The Rams are already looking ahead to their trip to Australia, where they will open the regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10.

So if you’re expecting to see reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Myles Garrett, or even star wide receiver Puka Nacua, think again. Most established starters for the Rams will be in street clothes on the sideline.

However, Justin Herbert is expected to start for the Chargers, as are a handful of other starters, but Khalil Mack and Derwin James, Jr. will not play.

Despite the lack of stakes, quarterbacks are still fighting for jobs, rookies are trying to prove they belong, and players sitting directly on the 53-man roster bubble are playing for their careers.

So without further ado, here are five things to watch for when the Rams and Chargers meet:

Stetson Bennett or Ty Simpson?

The Rams have spent an entire summer evaluating Stetson Bennett IV and rookie Ty Simpson, and McVay still hasn’t officially named Matthew Stafford’s backup.

That makes Thursday the final opportunity for Simpson to steal the job.

Simpson, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is going to play. McVay hasn’t committed to playing Bennett and also wants to find snaps for undrafted rookie Matthew Caldwell.

Bennett entered camp with the advantage and received the majority of second-team work in practice this week. Simpson has played well in the preseason tightening the competition.

Bennett should be the safer choice for Australia because of his experience in McVay’s offense. Simpson represents the future and has flashed enough talent to make the Rams wonder how quickly that future should arrive.

The Rams’ 53-man roster bubble could burst

Watch the Rams who are playing Thursday, but pay even closer attention to those who aren’t.

McVay traditionally protects players whose roster spots are secure in preseason finales. If someone is standing on the sideline in street clothes, chances are he can start packing for Australia.

Everyone else is fighting for a job.

Cornerback Cam Lampkin is battling Al’zillion Hamilton, Nyzier Fourqurean and Alex Johnson in a crowded secondary. Offensive lineman Bill Murray is coming off an outstanding performance against New Orleans and could force his way onto the roster, especially with injuries testing the Rams’ depth up front.

Running back Jarquez Hunter strengthened his case with 68 yards and a touchdown against the Saints, but Ronnie Rivers appears to have an advantage in the race behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.

Then there’s Tyler Scott at receiver and Wesley Bailey on the edge, two players who could turn Thursday into either a roster celebration or a practice-squad audition.

The Aaron Donald question hangs over the defensive line

There might be a future Hall of Famer who doesn’t play Thursday but still influences almost every defensive-line snap.

Aaron Donald.

If Donald decides to return, somebody has to lose a roster spot.

That makes the evaluation of players such as Tim Keenan III, Ty Hamilton, Desjuan Johnson, Keir Thomas (placed on IR) and Bailey even more complicated. Keenan has six tackles and a sack this preseason, but the Rams already have one of the deepest defensive fronts in football.

Add Donald to a group featuring Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford and others, and the numbers become unforgiving.

McVay has acknowledged the Rams must essentially prepare for two roster scenarios: one with Donald and one without him.

For players near the bottom of that defensive depth chart, Thursday isn’t merely about beating the Chargers. It’s about making themselves too valuable to cut if one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history suddenly wants his locker back.

The Chargers have an offensive-line problem

The most consequential Chargers storyline might be directly in front of Justin Herbert.

Tyler Biadasz’s ACL injury has forced rookie Jake Slaughter into the starting center job, accelerating a transition the Chargers probably hoped would happen under calmer circumstances.

Now Slaughter needs to build chemistry with Herbert quickly.

Harbaugh has indicated Chargers starters could play roughly six to nine snaps, giving Slaughter valuable live work with the first-team offense. He has already played 60 preseason snaps between guard and center while allowing only one pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.

Elsewhere, Trey Pipkins has been pushed into the left guard competition with Kayode Awosika, while rookie Logan Taylor is making his case through versatility after working at both tackle spots.

Chargers have their own backup quarterback dilemma

Apparently Los Angeles wasn’t big enough for just one backup quarterback controversy.

Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei enter the finale with Harbaugh admitting the competition remains tight behind Herbert.

Lance struggled in the opener before producing a steadier 10-of-16 performance for 73 yards in the second preseason game, adding 42 rushing yards. Uiagalelei flashed with 120 yards and a touchdown in the opener before completing 7 of 15 passes for 80 yards and another score in his second appearance.

Thursday is their last clean opportunity to separate themselves with both having plenty to prove.

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