Rams' Simpson Impresses While Raiders' Mendoza Falters Again
Quarterbacks took center stage in the NFL's final week of preseason action Thursday, with Los Angeles Rams rookie Ty Simpson and Cleveland Browns backup Dillon Gabriel turning in strong performances while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza continued to struggle. Away from the field, the Seattle Seahawks locked up a veteran defender to a lucrative extension, and the Rams and Miami Dolphins executed a notable trade.
Simpson, selected 13th overall after a preseason marked by scrutiny over his draft slot, completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, also rushing for 11 yards while leading three scoring drives. Head coach Sean McVay has not named a backup behind MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, and Simpson's performance adds to the competition with veteran Stetson Bennett for that role. Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick and former Indiana standout, threw an interception and completed just 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in his second consecutive rough outing. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has indicated throughout the offseason that he favors a redshirt year for Mendoza behind starter Kirk Cousins, who again looked sharp in the win. greyhoundbet
In Cleveland, Gabriel used his opportunity behind newly named starter Deshaun Watson and backup Shedeur Sanders to make a case for a roster spot, completing 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots. It remains unclear whether coach Todd Monken will keep three quarterbacks, a decision that also affects rookie Taylen Green's roster outlook. Separately, the Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension with defensive lineman Leonard Williams, carrying an average annual value of $30 million - tying him with Tampa Bay's Vita Vea for fifth among interior defensive linemen. Williams, a 2015 sixth overall pick acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants in 2023, earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording seven sacks and 62 tackles. The move follows Seattle's earlier extensions this offseason for receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
The Rams also reacquired wide receiver Tutu Atwell from Miami in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter, reuniting Atwell with Los Angeles five months after he left in free agency. Atwell, a 2021 second-round pick, returns to a receiving corps that includes Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, while Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick, adds depth to Miami's backfield. Meanwhile, contract talks remain stalled between the Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez and between the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter, according to ESPN, with Witherspoon's new deal in Seattle reportedly complicating negotiations across the league. The Rams open their season against San Francisco on Sept. 10, and the Dolphins begin their campaign against Las Vegas on Sept. 13.
