Los Angeles Rams QB Stetson Bennett Seemingly Takes First Step Toward NFL Return

The Los Angeles Rams were the highest team in football on quarterback Stetson Bennett in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting him with the 128th overall pick and viewing him as a draft-day steal. However, Bennett’s first year in pro football raised concerns for his future.

Months before the 2023 NFL Draft, Bennett was arrested and charged with public intoxication in January 2023. In a police report, the Dallas Police Department detailed that a visibly intoxicated Bennett was walking around banging on multiple doors in a community of townhomes.

Related: Los Angeles Rams meeting with All-Pro in NFL free agency

  • Stetson Bennett NFL stats (preseason): 36-of-62 (58.1 percent completion rate), 347 passing yards, 5.6 yards per attempt, 1 passing touchdown, 3 interceptions, 4 sacks

Bennett, 25 years old at the time, apologized at the NFL Combine and was later drafted by Los Angeles. He earned some positive buzz during Rams’ training camp and then was given ample playing time during the preseason.

The rookie quarterback then left the team and was later placed on the non-football injury list in early September. At the time, Rams’ head coach Sean McVay said the team wouldn’t disclose details on the matter out of respect for Bennett, only stating that “there are certain things that I think are a little bit bigger and more important” than football. The team hasn’t provide any new information since.

In January of this year, McVay told reporters that he was unsure if Bennett would be with the team for the 2024 season.

“You know, I don’t know that. I think that’s a conversation for another time. I think he’s doing better, but I wouldn’t be in a position to answer that accurately right now. That’s probably a long way away from me being able to answer that.”

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay on if Stetson Bennett will return to the team

Will Stetson Bennett Play Football Again?

While there are still no definitive answers on whether or not Bennett will be with Los Angeles in 2024 or even resume his career, a recent Instagram post at least hints he could make a comeback.

As first highlighted by Crissy Froyd of A to Z Sports, Bennett was recently spotted in an off-season training video with other athletes doing speed and power work. Of note, the video was posted this month.

Related: Los Angeles Rams Mock Draft 2024

  • Stetson Bennett college stats: 65.1% completion rate, 160.9 QB rating, 8,429 passing yards, 9.1 yards per attempt, 66 passing touchdowns, 21 interceptions

It certainly remains possible that Bennett won’t return to the Rams for the 2024 season, especially after the team signed veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to serve as the backup to Matthew Stafford. However, the fact that he does seem to be getting back involved with football in some form is a very positive sign.

Bennett’s personal life and his long-term future are far more important to his family and the Rams’ organization than getting him back on a football field anytime soon. After what he experienced in 2023, though, this at least seems to be a step forward for Bennett.