The fate of 4 quarterbacks hang in the balance of 1 Wild Card Round game

IV: Rams QB Stetson Bennett

It's tough to envision the Los Angeles Rams play against the Minnesota Vikings might impact the future of young backup quarterback Stetson Bennett. Still, he is on the team and fills a vital role as backup quarterback. More importantly, he is the only other quarterback besides venerable starting quarterback Matthew Stafford who is under contract for 2025.

That ain't nothing.

The Rams dabbled at adding former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 128th overall pick. That was sooner than some draft analysts expected to hear his name, a fact that set the stage to turn against him when he stepped away from football later that season. He returned to the team in 2024 with a fresh outlook and renewed passion for the game.

Despite missing all of 2023, Bennett looked the part of a future NFL quarterback as he started and completed two preseason games for the Rams. He completed 41 of 69 passes for 437 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Despite the tendency to throw multiple interceptions, Bennett remained resolute in the pocket, engineering two come-from-behind victories in his only two preseason appearances.

To many Rams fans, out of sight means out of mind, and little to no thought has been given to the guy who sat on the bench, or was declared inactive on game day. For those fans who do think of Bennett, some simply cling to a young quarterback just returning to the NFL who threw five interceptions in preseason. That was enough to cement their opinion of the guy to categorize him as not having what it takes to lead the team.

And yet, he is still on the roster, and despite the lack of positive news or starts, continues to grow and develop with his teammates for the team. Is he ready for a large role in 2025? Probably not. But what he does add to the Rams roster is that safeguard that will allow the front office to weigh a wide variety of alternatives. With Bennett in the quarterback room, the Rams can view the 2025 NFL Draft as an onramp to select a future quarterback, knowing that any prospect chosen will have immediate competition to earn playing time behind veteran Stafford. And that can make all the difference in the world.