Stetson Bennett’s future hinges on Rams’ draft plans

Bennett could be pushed out of Los Angeles if the Rams draft a quarterback

It was encouraging seeing Stetson Bennett arrive for phase one of the Los Angeles Rams’ offseason program. Bennett, who won the backup job over Brett Rypien, left the team early in his rookie season for personal reasons.

While the Rams are likely glad to have Bennett back, there’s no guarantee that the young quarterback is part of the franchise’s plans moving forward. LA signed veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to backup Matthew Stafford for 2024, which relegates Bennett to third-string duty at best. It’s worth mentioning that Garoppolo is suspended for the first two weeks of the regular season.

With the 2024 NFL Draft on the horizon this week, drafting a QB would potentially push Bennett off the roster as it doesn’t make sense to spend premium draft capital on a signal caller if you aren’t going to give him time to develop.

Much has been made over Stafford’s current contract situation. He has no guaranteed money left on his deal after this coming season, and he has a top five cap hit which puts him in troubling company when you look across the landscape of the NFL. Actions speak louder than words, and the Rams are at least suggesting that it’s possible this is Stafford’s last season in Los Angeles. If they felt otherwise, they haven’t yet put their money where their mouth is.

That’s why it’s impossible to rule out that the team won’t make a premium investment at quarterback. With as many as four signal callers expected to be drafted in the top 10, it’s unlikely the Rams would trade up for the likes of Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy, or Drake Maye. It also remains to be seen whether LA feels compelled by the prospects of Bo Nix or Michael Penix towards the back of the first round, or if they would select someone like Spencer Rattler or Michael Pratt on day two.

If any of these names are on the radar and end up en route to Los Angeles, that’s bad news for Stetson Bennett and could signal that his time with the Rams is coming to an end sooner rather than later.