Will Stetson Bennett show enough growth to sneak onto Rams roster?
The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Stetson Bennett have had a rocky experience through the first two seasons of his career. Bennett took a leave of absence during his rookie season and his level of play during the preseason has been inconsistent.
When the Rams drafted Bennett, it came after the 2022 season in which the team was left scrambling for a backup quarterback. Bennett was seen as a player who could be a long-term backup following his success at Georgia.
However, in each of his first two seasons, Bennett has led the NFL in turnover-worthy plays in the preseason. He had six as a rookie and then seven last season. Additionally, despite being the Rams’ primary preseason quarterback, he’s never had a passer rating over 60.
Heading into year three, it’s a big year for Bennett. If the former fourth round pick doesn’t show improvement, the Rams have depth and needs in other positions on the roster. They don’t have to keep three quarterbacks. While the Rams are managing Matthew Stafford’s health, there’s also no pressure for them to keep Bennett with Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup.
With that said, it appears that Bennett is rising to the occasion. Said Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News,
“Bennett looks much more decisive in his third camp. He is working through his reads quickly and making his throws on time and in rhythm. And the coaching staff has been impressed with his command of the huddle.”
Grosbard isn’t the only member of the media to praise Bennett. The Rams’ own Stu Jackson also had positive things to write about the Rams quarterback,
“Whether it was an early strike to tight end Davis Allen on a seam route or a scramble for a touchdown in red zone drills, Bennett made his presence felt on Thursday. His pocket presence was noticeable and he fit the ball into some tight windows throughout the day.”
These are all positive signs for Bennett as he displays some growth in year three. It’s also worth noting that while this is Bennett’s third training camp, it is his first in which he’s had the ability to build off of the previous season. After Bennett’s leave of absence in 2023, there was no guarantee that he would return to the team. The 2024 season essentially served as a second rookie year for him while this year he heads into camp with a full year under his belt.
Given that the Rams brought back Jimmy Garoppolo for this season, it’s clear that the Rams don’t fully trust Bennett as the team’s backup just yet. Still, Garoppolo is just on a one-year deal, meaning that Bennett could move into that role in 2026 even if the Rams draft a rookie quarterback.
With Stafford dealing with back soreness and Garoppolo being the most trusted quarterback on the roster, it should be expected for Bennett to once again take a majority of the snaps during the preseason. While the team will base its decision on Bennett based on how he looks in training camp and in the meeting rooms, the preseason will still be important. Bennett has struggled at times in his first two seasons. If he can show some consistency, he may find a spot on the roster after many wrote him off.