Stetson Bennett Positioned to Be Rams’ Backup QB Behind Matthew Stafford Following Jimmy Garoppolo’s Departure

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett IV is firmly positioned as the primary candidate to secure the backup role behind Matthew Stafford, following the departure of veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and the selection of rookie Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft. Entering his fourth year with the organization, Bennett has captured the attention of head coach Sean McVay during training camp at Loyola Marymount through commanding huddle leadership and increased offensive repetitions.

Stetson Bennett Seizes Training Camp Reps in Los Angeles

For Stetson Bennett, the path to regular-season snaps has required patience. Selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft following a decorated collegiate career at the University of Georgia—where he compiled a 29-3 record, won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist—the 28-year-old quarterback spent his first two seasons observing behind Stafford and Garoppolo. With Garoppolo reaching free agency after mulling retirement from a 12-season career, and the Rams drafting Alabama Crimson Tide product Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Bennett has seized a crucial opening.

According to team observations from training camp, Bennett has received the lion’s share of first-team repetitions while Stafford takes built-in rest days twice in every four-day practice block. Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Bennett’s trajectory, noting the quarterback has made incredible strides in mastering the playbook. “He’s really just taking advantage of his reps, and he’s aggressive, you know?” McVay stated during camp. “He’s a playmaker. He’s going to be aggressive, but not reckless.”

Offensive Command and Teammate Confidence

Teammates have quickly taken notice of Bennett’s elevated presence on the field. Running back Blake Corum highlighted the tangible energy Bennett brings to the huddle, pointing out that the quarterback carries a distinct aura when he enters a play. Wide receiver Puka Nacua echoed that sentiment, describing a clear swagger that resonates throughout the receiving corps as Bennett calls plays with authority.

McVay credited Bennett with displaying total ownership of the scheme. When discussing his grasp of the playbook in an interview with the Southern California News Group, Bennett used a driving analogy to articulate his comfort level: “How do you drive a stick-shift? If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, you’re messing it up. You either know how to do something, or you don’t know how to do something. You’re just more confident with it.”

Evaluating the Backup Quarterback Hierarchy

The competition behind Stafford remains one of the primary storylines of the Rams’ preseason schedule. While the organization drafted Ty Simpson as a long-term investment, Bennett’s veteran tenure within McVay’s system has given him an early operational advantage. Observers note that a telling indicator of Bennett’s standing as the definitive ‘QB2′ will be his usage—or lack thereof—during upcoming preseason contests leading up to the Rams’ regular-season opener next month against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

McVay emphasized that Bennett’s growth has been a major positive for the roster heading into the final stretch of the offseason program. “I have been so impressed with what Stetson Bennett has done and the growth that he’s had, the ownership of the offense,” McVay said. “You can feel his teammates want to root for him, and he’s played really well.”

What Comes Next for the Rams

The Rams continue their training camp preparations in Los Angeles before transitioning to preseason game action. Coaching staff decisions regarding playing time in exhibition matches will ultimately clarify the depth chart behind Stafford ahead of the international trip to open the regular season against San Francisco.