If preseason games are meant to offer a glimpse of the season ahead, the Los Angeles Rams may have seen a glimpse of something significant on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium. Stetson Bennett IV, the former Georgia walk-on and two-time national champion, delivered a performance that suggested he could be more than just a developmental project. In the Rams’ 23-22 win over the Chargers, Bennett completed 28 of 40 passes for 324 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, including an eight-yard game-winning strike to Tru Edwards in the final 15 seconds.
Bennett showcased the traits coaches covet — composure under pressure, clear communication, and confidence — highlighted by a 40-yard throw to Brennan Presley on fourth-and-10 with 19 seconds left. Perhaps most emblematic of his arrival: after taking a big hit, Bennett rose, flexed, and locked eyes with the Chargers sideline, signaling he belonged on football’s biggest stage.
Yet while Bennett was dazzling, Matthew Stafford’s lingering back issues continue to cloud the Rams’ quarterback room. The 37-year-old has been limited in practice, leaving uncertainty about his Week 1 availability. Veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo remains the obvious option should Stafford miss time, but the team’s long-term timeline adds complexity to Bennett’s future.
Stetson Bennett Has Improved. Now What?
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Bennett enters the 2025 season unequivocally as the third-string quarterback, and will enter the final year of his rookie contract after this season. By the end of it, he will be 29, placing him in a unique and delicate position: blocked on the depth chart and facing limited opportunity to demonstrate his value. With two first-round picks in 2026, the Rams could either draft a quarterback to start the future or trade up for a proven veteran. In either scenario, Bennett’s timeline with the team becomes constrained.
Head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Bennett’s progress after the preseason game:
“Stetson was awesome. The amount of reps he’s been able to get, whether you go through the spring — especially in training camp — it’s both Jimmy and Stetson getting some reps. The overall command, I thought he got through progressions well today.”
Bennett’s Trade Stock At Its Highest
While McVay’s praise underscores Bennett’s readiness, the reality is clear: the Rams’ quarterback depth chart is crowded, and his path to meaningful snaps remains uncertain. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report summarized the situation succinctly:
“Even though Matthew Stafford’s back issue raises the probability of a backup seeing action this year, the coaching staff would likely turn to Garoppolo, who’s far more experienced than Bennett, for fill-in duty… Bennett probably doesn’t have a future with the club, but he could draw outside interest by playing well in the preseason.”
For Bennett, a trade could provide a fresh start and a clearer path to the field. Teams with unsettled quarterback situations — such as the Buccaneers, Texans, or Bears — might view Bennett’s accuracy, leadership, and poise as valuable assets for a backup or rotational role.
Bennett himself has embraced the mentorship of Stafford:
“I don’t think there can be a better guy in the room than Matthew. He’s seen it all and been through it all, highs and lows. Just the way he goes out and handles each day … I try and learn as much from him and apply it the best I can.”
Still, the Rams’ strategic priorities are firmly set on the future. Whether that means drafting a rookie quarterback or acquiring a veteran, Bennett’s window to carve out a meaningful role in Los Angeles is narrow. With Stafford’s status uncertain, Garoppolo’s age and contract situation, and Bennett approaching 30, the team may see more value in leveraging his preseason performance to gain draft capital or roster flexibility.
Ultimately, trading Bennett could be a win-win: the quarterback receives a clearer opportunity elsewhere, while the Rams can align their quarterback room with their long-term plan. After Saturday’s performance, Bennett has shown he is ready to compete; now, the Rams must determine whether his future is in Los Angeles or beyond.
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