Last week, Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson put up a strong preseason debut as he tries to work his way up the depth chart. This week, veteran backup Stetson Bennett made his case to hold onto the team's backup role.
Bennett put together an impressive showing in the Rams' preseason game against New Orleans Saints. All told, the former Georgia star was 19-of-31 through the air for 181 yards. He also rushed twice for 9 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Stetson Bennett takes it himself for 6️⃣
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G3PA8x4CiA
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026
Simpson, meanwhile, was 8-of-12 for 73 yards in the Rams' 34-0 victory over the Saints.
Bennett's strong play led to the Rams' potential backup QB breaking down the postgame huddle in the locker room. Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay spoke about what Bennett brought to the field during McVay's postgame press conference.
"We talk about it all the time, and you guys have heard me say it: Repetition's the mother of learning. He's been intentional about applying those reps," McVay said, via Rams social media. "His teammates, they enjoy him. He's an easy guy to be able to root for. He's just got kind of a nice swag and a nice presence … You just feel kind of his game really comes to life in game-day settings. The gamer thing. He's just got a good feel and it's not too big, and he loves competing and it's fun to watch him do it."
Through two games, Bennett is 23-of-37 for 219 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He has rushed twice for 9 yards and 2 touchdowns. Simpson, meanwhile, is 29-of-37 for 263 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. The rookie has rushed 4 times for 9 yards.
Bennett is in his fourth year with the Rams after Los Angeles drafted him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is yet to play in a regular season game but has his best opportunity yet following the retirement of former Rams backup Jimmy Garoppolo. The threat, of course, is Simpson, who the Rams spent serious draft capital on in April.
Bennett spoke about his approach two weeks ago.
"I just want to go out there and be the best that I can be. That irks me to no end and gets after me. And then if I am going out there and playing good ball, then that's enough for me," Bennett said, via Rams social media. "It's not really about the outward, you know, 'Wow, that guy's doing good,' you know? Because if you rise up here with that, then you'll fall down here with that when they're killing you. And so it's who's the man in the mirror, how are we doing today, and how are we going to do tomorrow?"
Bennett is entering the final year of his contract with the Rams. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Bennett initially came to Georgia as a walk-on in 2017, transferred to Jones College for a year, then came back to UGA in 2019. He began the 2020 season as the Bulldogs' starter before being replaced by USC transfer JT Daniels. Daniels held the role into the 2021 season before Bennett got the nod and never looked back.
Bennett replaced Daniels early in the 2021 campaign and led Georgia to an undefeated regular season. Bennett and the Bulldogs shook off a 41-24 loss to Alabama in the SEC title game by dispatching Michigan in the semifinals then exacting revenge on the Crimson Tide in the national championship game. Bennett was masterful in his rematch with Alabama, as he was 17-of-26 for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Both touchdowns came in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs finished off the Crimson Tide.
Bennett used his final year of eligibility in 2022 and made the most of it. He threw for 4,127 yards with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and also rushed for 10 scores. His performance earned him a trip to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, making him Georgia's first finalist since Garrison Hearst 30 years earlier.
Bennett's success played an instrumental role in Georgia going 15-0 and winning its second consecutive national title.
We'll get one more look at the competition behind Matthew Stafford this preseason. The Rams are back in action on Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in the preseason finale for both squads.
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