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McVay Says Bennett Has 'Tremendous Growth' as Rams' Backup Race Shifts

Extra reps for Stetson Bennett while Matthew Stafford sits have increased his case for the No. 2 job and raised stakes for the Rams' internal quarterback plan.

Overview

  • Sean McVay praised Stetson Bennett’s “tremendous growth” and said Bennett has earned teammates’ confidence after receiving more offseason reps because Matthew Stafford was not practicing.
  • The Rams have kept Stafford as their expected 2026 starter while treating first-round pick Ty Simpson as the long-term successor the team will develop.
  • Jimmy Garoppolo is out of the picture and the team has not added a veteran quarterback, leaving Simpson and Bennett as the primary backups despite neither having regular-season NFL experience.
  • Bennett was a fourth-round pick in 2023 who led Georgia to two national titles and showed improved preseason play in 2025, giving him an experience edge inside Sean McVay’s offense over Simpson.
  • Stafford’s health and the coming training camp and preseason will determine depth behind him, and the Rams’ reliance on internal development raises short-term risk if Stafford misses time.