Why Stetson Bennett remains the LA Rams best future QB option

Quarterback Stetson Bennett is under contract with the LA Rams through 2026. That is at least how long that he will be on the Rams roster. Period.

After all, the Rams made no moves to address the QB position beyond 2024. That should tell you all that you need to know.

Could it be that simple? After the LA Rams invested the 129th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft to select former two-time NCAA Champion Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, the team seemed to be taking its first step towards a succession plan for the quarterback position. After all is said and done, Stetson Bennett is the first quarterback drafted by the duo of GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay.

Come to think about it, he is the first and only quarterback to be drafted by the dynamic duo who have taken the Rams to two Super Bowls. Ultimately, the decision as to whether Stetson Bennett remains on the Rams roster is not up for a vote, nor will it be influenced by comments in forums, message boards, or on social media. The decision as to the future of QB Stetson Bennett rests in his willingness to put in the work, and the coaching staff's perception of his effectiveness as quarterback of the Rams offense.

And that is how it should be.

While some react to Bennett's absence in 2023 with anger, it does nothing to alter the team's view of the player, nor to enhance understanding of the situation. Would reactions be the same if he ruptured his Achilles Tendon? Would Bennett be welcomed back if he had sustained a season ending ACL injury?

As of today, the Rams QB room holds starter Matthew Stafford, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, and reserve QB Dresser Winn. But in 2025, unless things change, the quarterback room will revert back to just Stafford and Bennett.

We had offered up 5 reasons why the Rams would salvage Stetson Bennett's career before the 2024 NFL Draft, truly expecting the Rams to address other positions in the draft and not select a quarterback from the rookie prospects this year. While some may be okay with that decision, others may be overly concerned about the Rams' trust in an unproven quarterback.

This article is intended to reassure you, calm your fears, and smooth your concerns. Let's get right to it:

IV: Stetson Bennett's height is not the issue you think it is

One of the first issues raised by angry commentators is the fact that Stetson Bennett stands 5-foot-11 and weighs just 190 pounds. While that is not typical for an NFL quarterback in the modern era, it is by no means the issue that some fans make it out to be.

Russell Wilson, a seasoned NFL veteran quarterback who is entering his 13th NFL season, stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 215 pounds. Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 207 pounds, and he is entering his sixth NFL season. Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 2024 pounds.

Clearly the opinion of NFL general managers and coaches do not buy into the 'he's too small,' opinion, nor should they. One of the recent backup quarterbacks who remained on the Rams roster for three seasons was mobile quarterback John Wolford, a quarterback who stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 200 pounds. Standing back to back, Bennett is close to the same physique of Wolford.

The nature of the NFL is such that defenses will eventually find tendencies or bad habits to exploit in any quarterback. It is up to the quarterback and the offensive coordinator to find counter measures that place the QB at the advantage. No matter how tall, how slow, or how indecisive the quarterback may be, they must all overcome challenges that they will face throughout their careers.

III: Fans can be too eager to cancel a player

It can be disheartening at times after a game that ends with a score of 7-3 in a loss, and find a remarkably high number of fans calling for the team to fire the defensive coordinator. Sometimes blind rage is just that, blind. So too, we can fan ample examples of players who simply needed more time to reach their potential than fans were willing to give them.

Not every player can peak after four years with the LA Rams like former OLB Samson Ebukam, but there is a lesson to be learned. That is, don't rush to get rid of a young player.

If you need a more appropriate example of an NFL quarterback who was sent away without much hope of success, only to flourish with a new team, you can consider the career of Ryan Tannehill. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. While he did put up respectable numbers, the Dolphins finally traded Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans. He promptly earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2019.

I am not arguing on behalf for or against Stetson Bennett on this point. I'm simply dealing with fact. Right now, Bennett is a highly regard quarterback prospect who is under a very affordable contract through 2026. In terms of alternative options, the Rams can sign a veteran quarterback, but the team prefers to do so in one-year increments.

Like it or not, Bennett currently offers this team the continuity that no other player not named Matthew Stafford offers. And until the Rams deliberately choose to select a quarterback in some future draft, that is likely the way it will remain.

II: Bennett is at his best when the chips are down

The story of Stetson Bennett's college career have ben watered down by casual commentary, but perhaps this is as good of a time as any to refresh our collective memories of just how and why he had become so revered by Georgia Bulldog fans.

He was a walk-on, the designation for a player who was not signed to play for the team via a scholarship. These players either did not attract attention playing football in high school, attracted attention for some scholarship offers but chose to take their chances at the college of their choice, or simply did not play organized football but though the sport looked like fun and decided to give it a try in college.

Walk-on football players seldom flourish in NCAA football. So the fact that Stetson Bennett ascended to the NCAA Championship starting quarterback for two consecutive seasons is nothing short of hitting the Power Ball lottery. That is the reason that he has become a Georgia Bulldogs legend.

While I have never met or interviewed Stetson Bennett, I can see clear indications of a young man who repeatedly beats the odds.

He has been described as a player who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He earned the college nickname of "The Mailman' because he always delivered. Let's face it, a young man with no scholarship who takes a chance on himself is not 'soft,' as many taunt now. He is a young man who has gotten this far on sheer guts and determination.

I: Bennett is a dual-threat QB who still has significant upside

Bennett is able to move the chains and put points on the scoreboard with his arm and with his legs. That has long been the goal of Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, who had two dual threat quarterback on the roster with QB John Wolford and Bryce Perkins.

Stetson Bennett has more upside than either of them. After all, Bennett competed in the SEC for four seasons, and was the starter for 42 games. That is pretty solid experience for any NFL quarterback prospect. Now toss in the fact that he led the Georgia Bulldogs to two National Championships, and the dots start to connect. In his final two college seasons, he threw for 6,990 yards, 56 touchdowns, and just 14 interceptions.

When he pulled the football down and ran with it, he put up 464 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns.

When Bennett feels comfortable and in control of his offense, he can do some pretty spectacular things. The trick is to get him into that comfort zone.

If you noticed the changes to the Rams offense of late, you may take note of a team that has more beef on the offensive line, stronger and more productive running backs in the backfield, and an array of accomplished and physical receivers who not only catch the football, but can put up yards after the catch.

Those offensive enhancements not only serve to benefit starting QB Matthew Stafford, but will go a long way to benefit Stetson Bennett as well. As Bennett realizes that he does not need to 'star' on every snap of the football, the game will slow down for him and he will master all the levers, switches, and dials at his disposal at the helm of this offense.

For now, I would rather have Stetson Bennett on the Rams roster than on the roster of another team. Let's see how quickly he can fill out his role on the team. You may be surprised at how well he does.