Stetson Bennett’s story appears to be adding another chapter.
Mandatory minicamp began for the majority of NFL teams earlier this week, and Rams head coach Sean McVay said he likes what he sees from the former Bulldog.
“I was really pleased with his overall improvement,” McVay said of Bennett’s performance. “His command, his attention in the meetings and then when he got his opportunities, whether it was in some 7-on-7 or even in some of the team periods, [he’s] taking steps in the right direction.”
After getting selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Bennett stepped away from the game. The Rams placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list in September, just three days after their season-opener. Bennett said he will keep what led to the decision “in-house,” but he is thankful the team allowed him to do so.
While he was away, Bennett spent time at home. Although he missed most of his rookie season, the move allowed the former Bulldog to focus on his mental health and revive his hunger for the game.
“Love football, excited to come out here every single day,” Bennett said during OTAs in May. “You get to see the world for the first time without football, like the first time ever. What that might be like, you just don’t have it. You come out here, and you’re hungry every single day. It was different without it.”
During his time at Georgia, Bennett was constantly in the spotlight. His status within the quarterback room was often questioned by the fans and once debated by his coaches. The time away from the game gave the two-time national champion and former Heisman Trophy finalist a chance to breathe.
“I think he took advantage of that year away from the game,” Rams general manager Les Snead said. “You know what, he’s an exhausted human being based on everything he had done. Let’s just take it as an individual — to walk on, to go to JUCO, to come back, to turn down small schools, say ‘I’m going to try to do this Georgia thing.’”
Once Bennett led the Bulldogs to their first national championship in 41 years, he decided to return for a final season in Athens. With that decision came an added pressure, as many believed Bennett should have rode off into the sunset. Once again, he proved them wrong and quarterbacked Georgia to its best record in program history.
“To win a job, then to win the thing, and then to determine, ‘I’m going to come back,’” Snead said of the added pressure on Bennett. “And when you come back, it’s really win it again or you failed. And that does take a toll on a human being, so I was jacked for Stetson to be able to take that moment and breathe a little bit.”
With the Rams, Bennett is competing with Jimmy Garoppolo to back up former Bulldog and No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford. With Garoppolo suspended for the first two games due to violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, Bennett has a chance to secure the job.
“Great to get back to football,” Bennett said. “It’s what I love, so it’s been pretty sweet.”
The Rams begin their season Sept. 8 with a rematch of last year’s Divisional Round. They will travel to Detroit to face the Lions at 8:20 p.m. on Sunday Night Football. When the game begins, the Rams will potentially have two former Bulldogs atop of their quarterback depth chart.
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