During the final repetition of practice Tuesday, Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett dropped back and completed a long pass to a receiver under the watchful eye of coach Sean McVay.
It was just advanced training.
Still, it’s another step forward for Bennett, who returns to the Rams after spending his rookie season away from the team on the NFL’s non-football injury/illness list.
“It’s good to be back,” Bennett said after the game, adding, “It’s good to be back playing football. It’s the sport I love so I’m really happy.”
Bennett, a two-time national champion at Georgia State, did not specify the reasons for his season away from football, stating multiple times that he wanted to continue playing football “in-house.”
The reporter asked if it was accurate to say that this was within the realm of mental health, and improving mental health.
“Yeah,” Bennett said. “That’s what I would say.”
Bennett’s future with the team has yet to be decided, but McVay said last week that Bennett “had a good few days and it’s good to have him here.”
The Rams plan to select Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 draft as Matthew Stafford’s backup and likely successor.
Bennett showed signs of improvement in the first two preseason games but struggled in the final game at Denver. He was placed on the non-football injury/illness list for unknown reasons before the season began, and McVay was unclear about Bennett’s status throughout the season.
Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett (13), who started off strong in last year’s preseason but struggled in the final game, runs away from Chargers linebacker Brevin Allen (90) in a preseason game.
(Ryan Sun/The Associated Press)
Midway through the season, the Rams released veteran Brett Rypien after he underperformed after filling in for Stafford in a loss to Green Bay. The Rams signed veteran Carson Wentz, and Stafford returned to lead the Rams to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance.
But the need for a capable backup remained acute for the Rams, especially as they prepared for a season in which they were considered Super Bowl contenders.
Stafford, 36, has two years remaining on the contract extension he signed after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory, but the 15-year veteran wants a guaranteed salary beyond this season, an issue that emerged during the draft and one that McVay acknowledged the Rams are trying to resolve.
The Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo in March, acquiring a veteran with a proven track record of winning in the regular season and playoffs. However, Garoppolo will be suspended for the first two games against the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
As such, Bennett’s ability to step in for Stafford early in the season could be even more important than it was last season.
Stafford and Garoppolo worked through the full team practice Tuesday, while Bennett and Dresser-Winn worked most of their time in individual workouts.
Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said Bennett is in “good condition.”
“He’s come into practice every day focused and wanting to get better, and that’s all you can ask of them,” LaFleur said. “If their intentions are right, which Stetts is right now, that’s all you can ask of them, and it’s certainly showing.”
Bennett, 26, said he was nervous on the first day of practice last week.
“I hadn’t played football in a while and hadn’t talked to my guys in the huddle,” he said. “I was nervous the first day, but it went away. I wouldn’t say it’s gone completely, but it’s gotten better every day as I’ve worked at it.”
Bennett, a Georgia native, said his time in his hometown was valuable and he was grateful to general manager Les Snead, McVay and “everyone involved” for allowing him to leave and return.
He said the time away has only strengthened his love for soccer.
“For the first time, you see a world without football. For the first time in your life, you know what it’s like,” he said. “It made me think, ‘Yes, this is what I want to do. I want to work hard every day and get better.’ Without football, it was different.”
How did he know he was ready to return?
“I guess it was, ‘Hold on or leave the bathroom,'” he said. “At some point, I had to go back.”
Now he’s happy to be back, playing the game he’s always loved.
“I guess I’ve just been watching football like I always have,” he said of how he’s been watching the game during his time away from the sport. “Just the beautiful game, building relationships with my teammates and competing against the best players and seeing what I can do. I’m looking forward to doing that again.”
