Los Angeles Rams sophomore quarterback Stetson Bennett is back with the team at OTAs. The No. 128 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft missed most of his rookie season after the Rams placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list in early September. A returning Bennett claimed he’s ready to compete while speaking with the media earlier this week. That's good because it will be a make-or-break offseason for him.
Stetson Bennett is back with the Rams. He says time with family at home and support from Rams leadership helped him come to a place where he is hungry to compete in the game he loves pic.twitter.com/RFBivFc0dp
— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) May 29, 2024
Bennett discussed the support he received from the Rams' leadership during his time away from the organization. The former Georgia quarterback was arrested on a public intoxication charge last January. Bennett sounds recharged after a much-needed mental health break.
Bennett started two preseason games for the Rams last August before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him going into September. In two exhibition showcases versus the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, Bennett completed 32-of-43 passing attempts for 333 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Rams then promoted Brett Rypien to the roster ahead of their preseason finale.
Bennett was the first quarterback drafted by the Rams since they took Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016. With Matthew Stafford entering his age 35 campaign in 2023, Bennett was slated to receive an opportunity to prove himself behind the scenes as a potential succession plan. He'll seemingly receive one final chance to secure a long-term future with the Rams.
The Rams were hesitant to place their complete faith in Bennett as the No. 2 this season. They signed veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year contract worth a base value of $4.5 million with a max value of $12 million based on incentives following his release from the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo was signed while Bennett remained on the reserve/non-illness list and was facing an uncertain future. The Rams understandably needed a plan in case Bennett stayed away from the team.
There is a catch. Garoppolo will serve a suspension for the first two games of the 2024 campaign for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Garoppolo is eligible to participate in the Rams' offseason program, including training camp and the preseason, but the suspension means Bennett will likely open the 2024 season as Stafford’s backup.
Head coach Sean McVay will want to keep Garoppolo involved throughout training camp, but it's Bennett who will likely lead all Rams quarterbacks in preseason snaps. The Rams will report to mandatory minicamp from June 10-12 before training camp marks its arrival in mid-to-late July. They’ll then face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the preseason on Aug. 11 with follow-up contests scheduled versus the Chargers and Houston Texans. Expect Bennett to start multiple games.
Bennett led Georgia to back-to-back National Championships and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2022. His rookie season was essentially a write-off. Bennett will receive one final opportunity this offseason to prove he's an NFL-worthy quarterback. The onus is on him to remain on the field and productive.
