How LA Rams QB Stetson Bennett can hit jackpot playing with house money
By Bret Stuter
Rams deliberately did not draft a rookie QB
Of all the possible clues as to the team's contentment with Stetson Bennett in a meaningful role for the team for the foreseeable future, perhaps none are so bold and loud as the team's reluctance to add a quarterback during or after the 2024 NFL Draft. This was a rookie class that boasted plenty of talent at the position, and plenty of prospects who possessed NFL caliber talent.
And yet, the team did not even have interest in signing a developmental quarterback after the draft.
Was this all a sign of confidence in veteran QB Matthew Stafford in some attempt to reassure him that he is the future of the franchise for the foreseeable future? Or is something more at work here?
Some have argued that by signing veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo, the team has already put the successor to Stafford on the roster. But if that were true, why did the team sign a one-year prove it deal? If the team was planning to commit to Garoppolo to take over as the starting hurler, now would have been the ideal opportunity to ink him to a multi-year deal. After all, his value and marketability will never be lower.
But the team did not give Jimmy G a multi-year contract. Nor did the team commit to any quarterback beyond 2024 other than starter Matthew Stafford and second-year quarterback Stetson Bennett. You do not need to have a PhD in Astrophysics nor have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express to figure out why.
Casual football fans may try to discredit Bennett's value or worth to an NFL team, but as we have witness above, that is nothing new for the former Georgia quarterback. His welcome to any football team has been met time and again with those who seek to devalue him and claim that he cannot compete. And yet, time and again that is exactly what he has done.
Returning to the Rams roster this offseason is not nearly as much of a risk as walking on to compete for the quarterback job for the Georgia Bulldogs. And yet, Bennett led that team to two consecutive championships. I cannot say just how far he can take this Rams football team if the ball is placed in his hands. But I can say this:
History tends to repeat itself to those who fail to learn its lessons. So far, Stetson Bennett's NFL career is starting off just like his college football career. Stay tuned, and keep an open mind.
As always, thanks for reading.