How LA Rams QB Stetson Bennett can hit jackpot playing with house money

Rams need a true backup QB in Weeks 1 and 2

Let's be quite clear. Even after the team signed veteran free-agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the need to retain the presence of a young backup quarterback did not suddenly go away. Perhaps the willingness of the team to commit to Garoppolo, knowing that he faced a league-directed two-game suspension was made possible by the anticipated return of Bennett to the team.

As of right now, which quarterback do you expect to serve as the backup QB for the first two week of the 2024 NFL season. We know that the team will start veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. We know that veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be serving his two-game suspension, and as result will be prohibited from any participation with the team over that time.

So the task will fall to either backup QB Stetson Bennett or to reserve QB Dresser Winn. Drawing from 2023's depth chart, Bennett becomes the logical choice. Not only has he demonstrated his ability to lead the team both in 2023 and in 2024, but the team never adjusted the roster to amend that status.

Of course, the team did sign Garoppolo in the first place, all but relegating Bennett to a status of no better than QB3 on Week 3 or beyond. But the team did not make an effort to extend 2023 backup quarterback Carson Wentz, despite Wentz's ability to lead the Rams backups to victory over the San Francisco 49ers starters in Week 18.

It is almost as though the Rams were content with a quarterback depth chart that consisted of Stafford, Bennett, and Winn. Only the availability and willingness of Garoppolo to play on an incentive-laced contract in 2024 lured the team to carry four quarterbacks. But what of the 2024 NFL Draft, and all of the talented rookie prospects it offered?