Ex-Georgia star may be nearing last Rams hurrah (and it's not who you think)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has stirred up his share of drama in recent seasons. Will he retire? Will the Rams extend him? How long can fans count on Stafford being here?

Rest assured. He's coming back. The extension is done. Whether or not he serves his full two-year term under contract, he will be here in 2026.

The same cannot be said with such certainty for fellow Georgia Bulldogs alum Stetson Bennett. Three years have passed since the Rams drafted Bennett with the 128th overall pick. Like Stafford in his final college season, Bennett led the SEC in passing yards. He led the Bulldogs to repeat rings in 2022 and 2023.

In the NFL, though, Bennett has yet to play a down. Ty Simpson, the much-discussed 13th pick in this year's draft, is Stafford's ordained successor. Even as a rookie, he could be the favorite to win the backup job before long. Bennett might stick around as the third option for one more season, but beyond that, his Rams future is in doubt. 

Time is running out on Bennett in Los Angeles 

Bennett's time could be up sooner rather than later. While Los Angeles carried three quarterbacks last season, how much longer will they want to spend a spot on Bennett? Will they even keep three QBs on the 53-man unit this year?

2026 is Bennett's final year under contract, anyway, but more importantly, his salary isn't guaranteed. While that doesn't mean the Rams will go ahead and cut him - of course not - it does impact his job security.

In past years, the team never had to call on Bennett as an option. Last season, the offense made out just fine with Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. Rather than waste a roster spot on a third quarterback who won't play, it could behoove the Horns to keep their QB3 on the practice squad for emergency purposes. 

That could well be Bennett, but first he'd have to beat out undrafted rookie Matthew Caldwell, a well-traveled college veteran who spent last season at Texas.

The reality is that, for all his college success, Bennett hasn't given the Horns anything of substance in his three years on the team. He has made his living as a good teammate and student of the game. Bennett has become a fixture on the Rams' sideline. 

But there comes a point where that's just not enough. Unlike Garoppolo, Simpson provides a long-term answer. Bennett, a former fourth-rounder, wasn't the guy. And now the Rams have less of a reason to keep him around "just in case."

It was a good run, but whether he finishes out his contract or not, the sun is likely setting on the Bennett era in Los Angeles. 

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