Stetson Bennett’s preseason pressure just skyrocketed after injury twist

It's only preseason is something you hear all of the time, but for the Los Angeles Rams, it can be an opportunity to make the team, or fade away into the sunset. Starters do not play in the preseason. In fact, many key rotational players will not see action in the preseason either.

For the Rams players who do see action in the preseason, it's a chance to shine. It could be a performance that locks a roster slot up. If not, it could be video footage that prompts another NFL GM to contact that player's agent. To NFL fans, it's an appetizer. A savory taste-bud teaser to the entrees of NFL games just around the corner. But to NFL players, it means everything.

To Rams third-year quarterback, Stetson Bennett, it means vindication. And as the team prepares for Week 1 of their 2025 preseason schedule, it suddenly means so much more. And you can thank the latest news about starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

All eyes turn to Stetson Bennett now with uncertain Matthew Stafford timeline

Rams wisely stuck with Bennett, even as fans begged the team to release him. And it could pay off in huge dividends. Even as Bennett struggled to shake off rust in the 2024 preseason, he emerged as one of the NFL's most proficient quarterbacks. He ended the NFL preseason as the runner-up in passing yards, despite playing in just two games.

Better still, Bennett's chemistry and ability to find young wide receivers in the preseason gave young players like Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith a fighting chance of making the Rams roster. And that chemistry is already showing up in training camp, as Bennett continues to showcase receivers.

Too optimistic? Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Trey Lance was on par with Bennett in last year's preseason. But his HOF preseason game was the talk of the NFL the morning after. So it falls to reason that if Lance can get better, Bennett certainly can too.

News broke that shook the foundations of the NFL today. Stafford has changed his injury status from "nothing to see here" to a serious reason for concern. But as we absorb that sobering news, the implications for the Rams quarterback room are only starting to form.

The timeline for Matthew Stafford's full recovery is unknown. An aggravated disc is serious and professional football. As the new information about Stafford's aggravated disc is now public knowledge, the reason for cautious progress makes sense. But football is here. And the absence of Stafford forces the team to promote veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to interim starter.

And just like that, the turnstile pushes Bennett into the on-deck circle. And he's ready. Rams fans may struggle to comprehend just how vital Bennett is to their team's future until they grasp why Georgia Bulldogs fans love him even to this day. He was a walk-on player. Nobody gave him a chance of making the team. But he persevered. And SEC opposing fans learned to fear him, just as Georgia fans learned to love him.

He didn't just ride a wave to two NCAA Football Championships. He led the team there. He is fiercely competitive. He has the uncanny ability to rise to the occasion. The bigger the stage and the brighter the lights, the better Bennett performs.

These preseason games are no longer meaningless to him. Even as the Rams put on a brave face and share hopes for Matthew Stafford to be under center for Week 1, there is an alternative scenario. Aggravated Disc may need time to heal, time that is not readily available. Let's stop fooling ourselves. Optimism aside, the Rams may start the 2025 NFL season by placing starting QB Matthew Stafford on IR for four weeks out of necessity.

In that scenario, like it or not, the third-year pro is thrust into a role that he may inherit next season. He's the only Rams alternative quarterback option who will be back in 2026. Considering that, this is no longer about arguing who was most correct about Bennett. It's time to follow what Georgia Bulldogs fans learned long ago.

It's time to circle the wagons, cheer for the guy, and let his indomitable competitive spirit find new and innovative ways to win. That may have been the most attractive quality that compelled the Rams to select him in the 2023 NFL Draft, after all.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

You are welcome to check out recent Matthew Stafford stories