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Turf Show Times fantasy football takes on Stetson Bennett
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Turf Show Times about Stetson Bennett.
72
Insights
24
Positive
24
Negative
Insight ledger
All Turf Show Times insights about Stetson Bennett
NegativeRoleAug 26, 2026
Bennett is competing with Ty Simpson for the backup quarterback role in Week 1 against San Francisco in Australia. McVay confirmed the Rams will carry three QBs on their initial 53-man roster, with one of Bennett or Simpson serving as the backup. McVay stated: "We feel fortunate that you got two guys that we believe in, feel really good about."NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026
McVay is actively mulling Bennett's value to the Rams as backup quarterback, with the head coach leaving the door open for rookie Ty Simpson to win the job by Week 1 against the 49ers. Despite Bennett being in his fourth year, McVay stated one of Bennett or Simpson 'will be the backup in Australia,' signaling Bennett's roster spot is not secure. The source argues carrying Bennett as a third quarterback seems strange given his lack of starting potential, questioning the point of keeping him on the 53-man roster at all.NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026
Bennett appeared on 81.6% of fan-submitted 53-man rosters in the Turf Show Times consensus projection, indicating strong but not universal support for his roster spot.PositiveRoleAug 25, 2026
Competing for backup QB role behind Matthew Stafford; neither Simpson nor Bennett have been consistent enough or had enough opportunity in preseason to make the choice obvious. Bennett received bulk of playing time in Week 2 and made the most of it in 34-0 victory over Saints, rewarding him after impressive preseason performance. McVay hasn't decided if Bennett will get reps in preseason finale against Chargers.NegativeRoleAug 25, 2026
Bennett demonstrated concerning efficiency issues in preseason action against New Orleans despite filling the stat sheet; he threw behind moving receivers, sailed passes, and left several big plays on the field. While his running ability provides a high floor, he struggles with tight window throws and misses hard passes more often than not. Against starting defenses with tighter coverage than exhibition games, a regular season offense led by Bennett would not be efficient. Max Klare assesses Bennett as not ready to be a reliable backup QB, comparing him unfavorably to Jimmy Garoppolo's standard.PositiveValueAug 24, 2026
Bennett could become an intriguing name on the trade market; his experience in Sean McVay's offense, familiarity with the Rams' system, and potential upside could make him appealing to teams dealing with quarterback uncertainty. The Rams could capitalize on his potential trade value if another team comes calling, though they would not receive anything beyond a Day 3 draft pick.PositiveProjectionAug 24, 2026
Bennett is 'looking confident' in preseason action against New Orleans and is projected as the backup quarterback unless Sean McVay indicates otherwise; he demonstrated impressive arm talent on a 4th-down sidearm dime to Tyler Scott, layering the ball perfectly over corner and linebacker coverage. Bennett has been getting preseason reps nearly all his years with the Rams and knows the plays better than Simpson, though the source questions whether he is truly ready for the backup role in the regular season.PositiveProjectionAug 24, 2026
Bennett had a stellar efficiency outing in preseason Week 2 with four scores in five possessions; however, the source notes his accuracy appears a bit off, with his passing precision better between the numbers on in-breaking routes to settled receivers, while his ball appears to float and sail when throwing outside or leading receivers; he did a nice job making plays with his feet.PositiveProjectionAug 24, 2026
Quarterback with PFF grade of 81.1; pushed the ball downfield more aggressively than Week 1, posting an ADOT of 9.9 yards, 69.0% adjusted completion rate, two big-time throws, and no turnover-worthy plays. Bennett was the lowest-graded player on the Rams offense last week but swapped places with Ty Simpson this week, performing well enough to inspire a first-half blowout that limited Simpson's opportunities in the backup QB battle.NegativeBustAug 23, 2026
The source concludes that Bennett is unrealistic as a replacement for Matthew Stafford and belongs on the practice squad, not as a starter. The analysis notes that 100% of the plays used online to highlight Bennett's performance are three plays (two runs, one pass that shouldn't have been thrown), and that his preseason performance across his entire career and Saturday's game demonstrates he cannot replace Stafford without it being "a total disaster." The source expects the Rams to cut Bennett and attempt to place him on the practice squad.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett operates almost exclusively out of shotgun (66% of snaps) and play-action (33%), with a 59% completion rate and 5.5 yards per attempt from shotgun and 5.6 yards per attempt on play-action. However, his play-action design is fundamentally limited: he's not reading the defense or progressing through options like Matthew Stafford does. Instead, Bennett runs designed rollouts with wide-open tight ends/receivers at the line of scrimmage—easy throws for any NFL quarterback. When asked to execute a different type of play-action (deep shot to Scott), he almost ran into the running back and overthrew the receiver. The source notes that Bennett's offense works "as long as you can just tell Stetson Bennett what to do before every play and then that guy is wide open."NegativeProjectionAug 23, 2026
Bennett's preseason passing chart reveals significant accuracy and decision-making concerns. On routine passes (12-of-15, 80 yards), he completed 80% but at just 5.3 yards per attempt; on difficult passes (4-of-8, 64 yards), he completed 50% with four totally uncatchable incompletions and several sideline throws that were too high. Bennett is not accurate beyond 10-15 yards by NFL standards and is "probably just bad" at throwing with good ball placement beyond that range. His first-read rate is 70%, with only 14% second-read and 3% third/fourth-read attempts, indicating limited progression ability. He completed 75% on first-read routine passes but only 40% on first-read difficult passes, suggesting he struggles when plays don't develop as designed.NegativeValueAug 23, 2026
The source argues no NFL team would trade for or claim Bennett off waivers. The NFC West teams (Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals) all have three quarterbacks they're keeping. Other McVay tree coaches (Packers, Vikings, Bengals) are set at quarterback. The only potential landing spot is the Jaguars with Liam Coen, but the source questions why they would disrupt their room with Bennett when Nick Mullens is already familiar with Coen's system and Trevor Lawrence. Coen never overlapped with Bennett in L.A., and most teams see Bennett as a third-string quarterback with no future as an NFL starter.NegativeBustAug 23, 2026
The source argues that Bennett's preseason rushing touchdowns and highlight plays mask fundamental NFL deficiencies. On pass 8 (4th-and-1), Bennett turned down an open Jarquez Hunter six yards away with a clear signal to throw instead to a lower-percentage deep shot to Scott. On pass 11 (1st-and-Goal), Bennett threw an uncatchable pass five feet away from a potential interception to Jordan Waters instead of running the ball, despite having no pressure and an open field. These decision-making errors and accuracy issues demonstrate why the Rams drafted Ty Simpson as a franchise starter.NegativeProjectionAug 23, 2026
The source's passing chart analysis of Bennett's first half against the Saints reveals he was more bad than good on a pass-to-pass basis. The 'good' was characterized as preseason-level, not NFL-level. The source emphasizes Bennett has not improved over the past three years and is no better now than he was when no team wanted him badly, despite a 300-yard, three-touchdown preseason performance a year prior against the Chargers.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Despite preseason narrative suggesting Bennett was too good to cut, the source argues his ideal place with the Rams is the practice squad, and he is actually less likely to make the 53-man roster based on his performance against the Saints. The source contends Bennett cannot consistently throw accurate passes beyond 15 yards, had the majority of completions on short routine passes, sailed too many balls over receivers' heads, relies too heavily on shotgun and play-action designs meant for rookies, and lacks the size, arm strength, and ball placement to be an NFL quarterback.NegativeProjectionAug 23, 2026
Through two preseason games, Bennett posted 23/37 (62.2%), 219 yards, 5.9 YPA, 2 total TDs, 78.5 passer rating, and 69.2 PFF Grade. These numbers trail Ty Simpson's preseason performance (78.4% completion, 263 yards, 7.1 YPA, 114.3 passer rating, 65.8 PFF Grade), but the overall competition remains very close after training camp and two games.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett enters the QB2 competition as the incumbent with a significant advantage: four seasons of familiarity with Sean McVay's system, terminology, protections, and timing expectations. The Rams have invested years developing him, and that experience matters if Matthew Stafford misses time. Bennett also has more exposure to NFL-level coverages through joint practices and preseason action than Ty Simpson, who has had limited exposure outside one training camp.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett earned most of the snaps against the Saints and completed 19-of-31 passes for a 77.5 passer rating while avoiding turnovers and contributing on the ground with two rushing touchdowns, including an eight-yard scamper. The source states this game 'might have secured him as Matthew Stafford's backup this season' and that 'it was exactly the game he desperately needed to keep Simpson at a distance, as he proved he is still worth a damn in the league.' Bennett is fighting for his NFL future, and this performance demonstrated he remains a viable backup option.NegativeDepth ChartAug 23, 2026
Listed as one of two quarterbacks on the Rams depth chart alongside Ty Simpson; Bennett's roster status appears secure given the team's offensive counting constraints.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Given reps at quarterback during preseason as one of two backup quarterbacks competing for roster spots; the source notes Bennett is now a 'must-keep' player, indicating his status has solidified on the roster.PositiveDepth ChartAug 23, 2026
The source believes Bennett will not be cut despite some questioning his roster status; the Rams would trade Bennett for Day 3 draft capital before outright cutting him, indicating confidence in his retention on the 53-man roster.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett needed a strong preseason showing to establish his role as the Los Angeles Rams' backup quarterback, and he delivered. After rookie Ty Simpson looked solid (if not better) the prior week, there was significant chatter about when Simpson would jump him and blogs questioning whether Bennett should be traded. However, Bennett demonstrated he can make pro throws and push the ball downfield—a key requirement for a backup. The source notes that while Bennett lacks long-term starter upside, a solid backup doesn't need to make every throw; they need to keep the ball safe and push it in specific spots. Bennett's performance helps him feel comfortable securing another paycheck after his rookie deal expires next spring.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett made a case for the QB2 role behind Matthew Stafford in Week 2 of preseason, demonstrating he can operate the offense better than Ty Simpson at this stage, though Simpson is considered the more gifted quarterback overall; the backup decision remains undecided heading into the regular season.PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Bennett secured the majority of snaps in the preseason Week 2 game against the Saints, completing 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards while adding two rushing touchdowns. The source notes he 'didn't hurt himself' with the performance, which strengthens his standing for both the 53-man roster and as Matthew Stafford's backup going into the regular season.PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Backup QB made a case for the backup role behind Matthew Stafford by operating as an efficient game manager with rushing ability; scored two first-half rushing touchdowns and went 14-of-31 passing for 181 yards at 5.8 YPA in a dink-and-dunk game plan, completing fewer than 50% of passes but converting red zone drives into touchdowns despite not having great supporting cast; source notes Bennett took what was there and wasn't working with elite talent, positioning him as an adequate replacement for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2026.NegativeRoleAug 22, 2026
Stetson Bennett seeks to improve upon his performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in the previous week, though he may have shown enough in practice to secure the Rams' QB2 role heading into the 2026 season.NegativeRoleAug 21, 2026
Bennett is competing for QB#2 with Ty Simpson; the source emphasizes that both need to demonstrate control and command of the offense in their backup role, managing the game in the starter's stead, while fans want to see the passing offense stretched to evaluate who can put the ball into tight windows and create downfield plays.NegativeRoleAug 21, 2026
Stetson Bennett has taken all QB2 reps throughout training camp, but a potential position battle at backup QB may emerge depending on Simpson's performance in preseason games. If Simpson builds on a strong debut, he may get a serious look at the backup QB spot behind Matthew Stafford going into Week 1. The Rams' coaching staff will be paying close attention to how this competition develops in the final preseason games.NegativeProjectionAug 20, 2026
Bennett does not have starter upside in the NFL. Ty Simpson is more physically gifted than Bennett, meaning Simpson has a chance to become a starter while Bennett does not. Bennett thrived in preseason last year, but preseason is a place for all players who made it that far and is not predictive of NFL success. Bennett has played zero snaps in the NFL since being drafted in 2023.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Bennett remains the lead backup quarterback for the Rams behind Matthew Stafford, but his long-term future with the franchise is uncertain. He is only under contract through the current season and is not part of Los Angeles's long-term plans, with the team heavily invested in Ty Simpson as the future backup. Any trade return would be modest—likely a sixth or seventh-round pick at best, well below his 2023 fourth-round draft cost. Bennett has zero NFL snaps since being drafted in 2023 but has been with the team since then and is familiar with the system and expectations.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Bennett holds the backup QB job but is expendable if rookie Ty Simpson proves superior; needs a real bounce-back performance in joint practice or preseason Week 2 to breathe new life into his roster status, as Simpson has the advantage of long-term security and draft position.NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026
Under pressure to hold the No. 2 spot in the Rams' QB rotation against first-round draft pick Ty Simpson. Head coach Sean McVay has not yet decided whether Bennett will start in the preseason game against New Orleans on Saturday, with the decision predicated on how the joint practice against the Saints goes on Thursday and Tuesday's practice. McVay managed the QB rotation against Kansas City with Bennett seeing the first two series before ceding the offense to Simpson.NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026
Early training camp indications suggested Bennett was well ahead of rookie Ty Simpson, but that momentum faded in final days at Loyola Marymount and in the joint practice against Dallas. Bennett drew the lowest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade on offense in Saturday's game and did little to impress. He needs to prove his struggles are temporary or could find himself looking for work within weeks.NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026
Backup quarterback faces major setback in competition for backup job after preseason game against Kansas City Chiefs. Bennett was the leader to be the backup heading into Saturday's game, getting snaps with the other starters when Matthew Stafford was rested during practice, and started the preseason game. However, Ty Simpson made a big push to win the backup job over Bennett with his strong performance. Bennett is running out of time to prove himself to other NFL teams; his contract with the Rams expires after the 2026 season, and the consensus among NFL experts is that the Rams won't re-sign him and will use Simpson as their backup until Stafford retires. Bennett needs every chance to prove he's a good player to get signed to a new contract next offseason, but if he doesn't get to play, his chances of getting signed next offseason will likely decrease.PositiveProjectionAug 17, 2026
Bennett played 15 snaps on two drives and looked a bit off target; the Rams braintrust got him off the field after a field goal scoring drive, and Simpson is now clearly the better option to call upon in an emergency.NegativeBustAug 16, 2026
Bennett completed 4 of 6 pass attempts for 38 yards with no standout plays, including an errant throw behind CJ Daniels on third down. The source emphasizes Bennett is playing for his NFL future and that losing out to Simpson despite years in the offense would likely end his NFL career prospects.PositiveProjectionAug 16, 2026
Finished last in PFF grading among 22 offensive players with an anemic 3.2-yard average depth of target (ADOT) versus Simpson's 5.3; credited with two missed throws on six attempts and was only pressured once. Performance raises questions about whether the preseason QB battle is already over after a single game.NegativeBustAug 16, 2026
Stetson Bennett's preseason performance was notably inferior to Simpson's, with accuracy issues and poor ball placement highlighted as ongoing concerns. His first pass landed behind wide receiver CJ Daniels on a short slant, and his final pass of the afternoon was nearly intercepted on a short pass intended for Max Klare in the end zone. While Bennett was efficient on play action and on the move, there was a clear difference between the two quarterbacks. Bennett has no regular-season snaps in three seasons, making Simpson's strong debut a significant competitive threat to his backup role.NegativeRoleAug 16, 2026
Bennett was presumed to be Matthew Stafford's backup in Week 1 but was 'so obviously outshined by the rookie' Simpson that many will question the depth chart. Bennett played only two drives and 'did not put much on tape to convince the Rams he deserves to be Stafford's understudy.' The source states: 'We've seen plenty of Bennett over the last four preseasons and he's never touched the level we saw from Simpson.' The backup quarterback competition may not be much of a battle, with the Rams potentially slow-playing Simpson's development or adding a veteran if the stars align.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Fourth-year quarterback Stetson Bennett got the start in the Rams' preseason game, vying to prove himself worthy of the backup role behind Matthew Stafford. Bennett went 4-of-6 for 38 yards, but it was Simpson who starred, with Sean McVay clearly prioritizing the rookie's development.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Bennett is competing for the official backup QB role behind Matthew Stafford for the 2026 season; he will start in preseason Week 1 against Kansas City and has an opportunity to demonstrate readiness for the position, though the source notes the true backup may not yet be on the roster.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Status for the preseason game has been less certain compared to Ty Simpson; his availability and role in the quarterback competition remain unclear heading into the Rams-Chiefs preseason matchup.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Former Georgia star with two national title rings will start the preseason game against Kansas City ahead of rookie Simpson; his performance is critical to determine whether the Rams can rely on him as a backup to Stafford, making his preseason debut a key evaluation point for the team's quarterback depth.NegativeProjectionAug 14, 2026
Bennett will start the preseason opener and offers fans a chance to view both him and Ty Simpson in an enclosed sample. He has shown improvement over his L.A. tenure and should have solid command of offensive principles, even as vanilla as they will likely be in an opening preseason game. His glaring problem that appears to persist is his decision making and resulting lack of ball security.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Stetson Bennett IV will get the start for the Los Angeles Rams in their NFL preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at 4:04 p.m. The source notes Bennett is expected to get a look against Kansas City, with commentary suggesting he should look better than bottom-of-roster-type opponents and surrounding cast, though he has historically been prone to interceptions in preseason but has shown mental strength to shake them off and lead comebacks.NegativeDepth ChartAug 14, 2026
Listed as the backup to Matthew Stafford on the Rams' first unofficial depth chart; the Rams' backup quarterback situation is described as more cut-and-dried compared to the Chiefs' intrigue at the No. 3 spot.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Bennett holds the upper hand as the starting quarterback in the Rams-Chiefs preseason matchup. He will enjoy a far superior supporting cast compared to Simpson, with likely access to more established receivers and skill-position players that Rams fans recognize. The source notes that Bennett stands to benefit more than the rookie from the Rams' offensive depth.NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026
Bennett will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs under new offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase's play-calling; McVay is using the preseason to give Scheelhaase experience before the regular season.NegativeRoleAug 13, 2026
Bennett will start Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs in a heated backup QB competition with Ty Simpson behind Matthew Stafford. Bennett has largely worked with the first-string offense during Stafford's absence from training camp, giving him an initial lead in the competition; however, he has struggled with turnovers of late, throwing at least two interceptions in Tuesday's joint practice with Dallas after a reported hot start to camp. The preseason performance will be telling for the competition outcome.NegativeRoleAug 13, 2026
Stetson Bennett IV was the Rams quarterback in the preseason game where Willie Lampkin made his NFL debut, providing context for Lampkin's elite performance metrics in that game.NegativeDepth ChartAug 12, 2026
Listed as backup quarterback to Matthew Stafford on the Rams' first depth chart of the 2026 preseason.NegativeRoleAug 12, 2026
Backup QB took majority of second-team offense reps in joint practice against Cowboys, similar to pattern at Rams training camp at LMU. Often received pressure from Cowboys' defensive front but was still able to make plays down field; threw pair of interceptions mixed in by linebacker Justin Barron over the middle.NegativeMatchupAug 11, 2026
Struggled during the joint practice against Dallas's revamped defense under new coordinator Christian Parker. Bennett was intercepted twice by linebacker Justin Barron and was flustered for most of the day alongside Stafford. The Rams' pre-snap motion and deceptions were ineffective against Parker's defensive scheme, which the source characterizes as being called like a longtime veteran coordinator.NegativeRoleAug 11, 2026
Bennett has drawn praise in camp for his performance so far, although in recent days he has seemed to take a step back and saw an uptick in turnovers. The source notes that Sean McVay said Ty Simpson would play in the preseason but is still mulling whether Bennett will join him, indicating the backup quarterback spot is not yet won. The source assesses that Bennett had to win in convincing fashion and is not sure he did, and that if the quarterback competition is even remotely close, Simpson will have the upper hand in terms of sticking on the roster.PositiveValueAug 9, 2026
Bennett has trade value for the Rams despite the backup competition with Simpson. JJ Zachariason argues that if McVay's decision between Bennett and Simpson is close, the Rams should consider trading Bennett for draft capital to restock their cupboard after recent veteran acquisitions. Bennett's presence also insulates Simpson from playing prematurely and cratering his confidence, making him valuable as a veteran backup.NegativeRoleAug 9, 2026
Bennett is battling first-round rookie Ty Simpson to become the primary backup to Matthew Stafford. Reports from practice indicate Bennett has taken a significant step forward in his fourth training camp, although turnovers have ratcheted up in recent days. McVay's decision between the two players remains in flux; Bennett's not playing in the preseason would signal he has won the backup job, but McVay's hesitation suggests the competition is still close.PositiveRoleAug 9, 2026
Sean McVay is pleased with Stetson Bennett's preseason performance and is considering resting him for the entire preseason month to give backup Ty Simpson more development snaps. McVay praised Bennett's aggression, playmaking ability, off-schedule improvisation, and improved command in the huddle, describing him as 'aggressive, but not reckless' and capable of making plays happen off-schedule.PositiveRoleAug 8, 2026
Stetson Bennett's preseason status remains undetermined, but if confirmed as backup to Matthew Stafford, he will likely not play in preseason games—a dramatic shift from his prior role. Bennett played every snap at QB in the last two preseasons when he was QB3 behind Jimmy Garoppolo (who was rested), but now receives veteran treatment as the official QB2, mirroring how Garoppolo was handled.NegativeDepth ChartAug 4, 2026
Bennett is the only backup quarterback with preseason experience and is expected to make the 53-man roster.PositiveRoleAug 3, 2026
QB2 Stetson Bennett has impressed head coach Sean McVay in training camp by capitalizing on increased reps he did not receive last year; McVay stated 'Stetson Bennett has really capitalized on a lot of reps that he didn't get last year….To be able to run the one offense the way he has, I've been pleased,' positioning Bennett as the Rams' backup quarterback for the foreseeable future.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Bennett began training camp receiving most of the first-team reps but was reportedly outshined by Simpson on Day 1 of camp. Bennett cannot afford to be outshined frequently this offseason if he intends to earn future NFL opportunities once the Rams move on. He desperately needs to put the rookie in his place in training camp and preseason if he wishes to stick around in the league; eventually Simpson will overtake him for the backup job if Stafford and Bennett remain in L.A. after this season.NegativeProjectionJul 30, 2026
Bennett's preseason production across seven games (six starts) shows 121-of-195 completions for 1,296 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2025 preseason specifically, he tied for most passing touchdowns (5), finished second in passing yards (512), seventh in completion percentage (68.8%), and fifth in passer rating (105.7). His completion percentage improved from 59% in 2024 to 69% in 2025, a promising sign, though his first two preseasons featured a 3-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, including a four-interception outing against Dallas in 2024.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Bennett is fighting to retain the backup QB role behind Matthew Stafford after the Rams drafted first-round rookie Ty Simpson, signaling he is not the long-term answer. The Rams made it clear Bennett is not part of their future plans the moment Simpson was selected; Bennett had three full offseasons to prove otherwise but struggled to capitalize on his opportunities. His long-term NFL career will come into question if he fails to beat out Simpson for the backup job this offseason.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
61% of Rams fans surveyed believe Bennett has the most to lose in the QB2 competition against Ty Simpson; source notes that if Bennett fails to secure the backup role, it is unclear whether another NFL team would sign him, making this camp battle critical to his career.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
61% of Rams fans surveyed—the strongest consensus of any question—believe Bennett has the most to lose in the QB2 battle against Ty Simpson; the source notes that if Bennett fails to secure the backup role, it is unclear whether another NFL team would sign him, and the Rams might even add a veteran QB ahead of Simpson if Bennett underperforms.NegativeRoleJul 27, 2026
Fourth-year backup quarterback Stetson Bennett was under center for most of the first-team reps during the first day of Rams training camp. In direct competition with first-round pick Ty Simpson for the backup role behind Matthew Stafford, Bennett was outperformed by Simpson on Day One, described as less sharp and efficient. However, the source cautions against overreacting to a single outing, noting there will be days where Bennett is the better player and it will take more than one good day for Simpson to unseat him.PositiveRoleJul 27, 2026
Bennett led the Rams' first-team offense on Day 1 of training camp 2026, taking every rep with the 1s while Matthew Stafford took a scheduled rest day. This represents a significant elevation in opportunity; Sean McVay is giving Bennett more chances to feel like a starter than ever before. Bennett has been strictly a third-string QB and preseason starter through his first three NFL seasons, but now has a genuine path to win the backup job. Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase praised Bennett's competitiveness, noting that 'anybody enjoys playing with a quarterback who competes, who's going to throw it all in there,' and that this mentality has only grown since joining the Rams. Bennett will receive more reps in one month than he's had in the last three years combined.NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026
Incumbent backup QB competing directly with first-round pick Ty Simpson for the No. 2 role behind Matthew Stafford; will compete throughout training camp and three preseason games for the position vacated by free agent Jimmy Garoppolo.PositiveRoleJul 25, 2026
Competing with Ty Simpson for backup QB role behind Matthew Stafford; McVay has spoken more highly of Bennett's development this offseason than Simpson's through early practices, though the full evaluation will come during training camp.PositiveUsageJul 25, 2026
Bennett will receive significant practice reps as the Rams prepare him as the backup to Matthew Stafford, with or without Simpson's participation. This elevated role is driven by Stafford's need for regular rest days during camp.PositiveDepth ChartJul 23, 2026
Bennett appeared on 84.5% of fan rosters, indicating strong fan belief that he will win the backup quarterback job over first-round pick Ty Simpson. The source notes this is unusual for a 13th overall pick to be slotted as QB3, even comparing it to Trey Lance's situation with the 49ers in 2021, and raises the question of what happens if Bennett performs well and Stafford misses time.