Rams name new starting QB (for the preseason)

The Los Angeles Rams will start Dresser Winn in their preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, according to Sean McVay. This is exactly what happened last season and it’s a sign that Stetson Bennett will get a week off and make the final 53-man roster. Conversely, and directly opposed to the McVay philosophy, […]

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The Los Angeles Rams will start Dresser Winn in their preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, according to Sean McVay. This is exactly what happened last season and it’s a sign that Stetson Bennett will get a week off and make the final 53-man roster.

Dresser Winn will start vs Browns, McVay said.

— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) August 21, 2025

Conversely, and directly opposed to the McVay philosophy, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to play his starters, including quarterback Joe Flacco, for basically the entire first half.

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders is expected to play in Saturday’s finale vs. Rams and will see action with the third-team offense, per Kevin Stefanski.

Joe Flacco and the starters will play 25-30 plays, Dillon Gabriel will run the second-team offense, and Sanders will follow as QB3. pic.twitter.com/Cow3zc9RA2

— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 21, 2025

The preseason finale gives McVay a chance to see how his backup looks against NFL starters with the caveat that they are “Browns NFL starters” and that’s not exactly the same thing.

It also doesn’t seem to matter that much if the Rams backups do well or don’t do well because McVay is going to cut most of them on Tuesday. There will be a chance for experience for L.A.‘s practice squad players, which can’t hurt, and Winn gets at least one more ride before his career comes to a pause in a few days.