Stetson Bennett is the only QB constant as LA Rams face offseason labyrinth

Matthew Stafford's understudy has comeback characteristics

As the Rams front office regrouped returning players and focused on patching holes in the team's 2023 roster, one thing was a bit surprising. The team, despite the uncertainty of Stetson Bennett's football proficiency after missing a full rookie season, did not address the quarterback position beyond signing veteran free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

But what the team did do was reshape a coaching staff. That's right. As the team restocked the coaching staff, almost all newcomers had that magical 'quarterback whisperer' quality about them in their coaching history that was no accident nor coincidence. The Rams, often dependant upon one positional coach to develop a lackluster entourage of talented but not-highly-regarded young quarterbacks, changed their entire paradigm in 2024.

Before he ever returned, the Rams were prepared to offer him a coaching staff versed in breaking down the NFL to young quarterbacks.

Bennett's return was not met with harsh words from an incensed head coach. There were no public warning statements or hints at some form of administrative probation for the young hurler. Instead, Bennett was given the reins to the offense for preseason, with the only instructions from Rams HC Sean McVay:

"Just cut loose and enjoy it. "

HC Sean McVay

And he did exactly that.

In 2023, Bennett's preseason performance seemed to reveal a young quarterback losing confidence. His best game was his first game. By the time he suited up for Game 3, he was inaccurate and error-prone.

When he returned, he had the visage of a quarterback who was having fun. His preseason statistics fail to tell the tale. In two games, Bennett completed 41 of 69 passes for 437 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. He chalked up the second-best QB performance in preseason, despite playing just two of three games. And he won both games by fourth-quarter touchdown passes. Just preseason? Sure. But preseason games are designed to implement vanilla strategies on offense and defense and let player talent be the difference-maker.

Despite getting the cold shoulder from some irate fans, Stetson Bennett was hot on the football field. Perhaps his performance did have an effect of assuring the team that he was who they thought he was, a tough-minded competitor who seemed to shine brighter as hopes for a win dimmed on the football field.

The Rams sat Stetson Bennett for Game 3 in the 2024 preseason, because he had shown enough. He proved to be effective behind a backup offensive line and with backup offensive weapons. But it was a turning point for Bennett. From that moment in time moving forward, Bennett was no longer in the spotlight. He trained off-camera, working behind the curtain. Even in Week 18, when the Rams sat starters and promoted junior varsity players to face the Seattle Seahawks, Bennett was Jimmy Garoppolo's backup.

But Garoppolo's contract is expired. Which leads to the logical question . . .