Rams QB Stetson Bennett Confident He's Taking the Next Step

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett put together an impressive preseason performance, as the upcoming four-year veteran looked incredibly comfortable during the team's 34-0 shutout against the New Orleans Saints.

Bennett ended his day with 19-for-31 attempts, 181 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. When the quarterback was asked if he believes that his growth is real, he answered confidently that he is taking the next step.

Bennett has been with the Rams since the 2023 season, but most of that time has been spent sitting behind both Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, with no other veteran in the building, the former Georgia Bulldogs passer has been taking snaps with the first team plenty during the offseason program.

There is a big battle happening between Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson for who will take on the backup job for Stafford in 2026. 

Though Bennett is the presumed favorite, the backup quarterback battle is far from over. During media availability, the veteran signal caller believes his comfort level is truly starting to set in.

When Bennett was asked if his growth through preseason and his time with the Rams is real, he confidently said, "I'd like to think so."

"I'd like to say so. you know, um I definitely felt more comfortable out there, uh you know, than years prior. Um and so yeah, I I'd like to say so," Bennett said.

Bennett has been the starter in both the Rams' preseason games, but the shutout win against the Saints was his more impressive outing.

During Los Angeles' first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Bennett only played in the first quarter and produced 38 yards on 4-for-6 attempts. 

That first quarter was clearly not enough to get a true understanding of where the backup quarterback's talent is. Bennett has been earning rave reviews from head coach Sean McVay, but he has not had enough live-game opportunities.

That may have been the biggest reason why McVay left Bennett out for the entire first half to give him the chance to truly run the offense. 

McVay has still not made up his mind about which quarterback will be the backup to Stafford, and he explained that during his media availability. 

"No news, no updates," McVay said regarding Simpson or Bennett playing in the final preseason game.

What makes this camp battle and job even more important has to do with the possibility that Stafford may go down with an injury. That is not what the Rams want to happen, but injuries are an unfortunate aspect of playing professional football.

Should Stafford not be able to take the field for any reason, the backup quarterback will have to come out and command the offense in the same manner. 

The Rams are clearly the Super Bowl favorites, but more so than that, they need to win a lot of games to get to that point. Losing Stafford would undoubtedly be tough to handle, unless the backup quarterback can come in and play lights out. 

The backup quarterback battle continues on, and McVay seems not anywhere close to a decision. Bennnett clearly has the experience over Simpson, and Bennett's performance during this second preseason game may have kept him squarely in the QB2 role.