The Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback situation has taken a decisive turn after a dominant preseason display by Stetson Bennett IV, who looks increasingly prepared to be the understudy to veteran starter Matthew Stafford. The assessment came directly from coach Sean McVay following the Rams’ 34-0 preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.
Performance under the spotlight
Bennett completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and added two rushing touchdowns in the shut-out win. McVay praised Bennett’s command of the offence and his decision-making throughout the outing, saying the quarterback “did a great job” and highlighting his improving grasp of progressions and game management.
The context is important. The Rams entered the preseason with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo facing a two-game suspension for a PED violation, and rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson still learning the professional game. That combination shifted greater immediate importance onto Bennett, who until now had only developed through practice and exhibition games.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 19/31 |
| Passing yards | 181 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 2 |
| Final score | Rams 34–0 Saints |
What the coaches are saying
McVay gave particular credit to the quarterbacks coach and the alignment between Bennett and his tutors, saying the pair were “really in sync” and that it was “fun to watch” Bennett’s development. The head coach stressed the value of live-game reps as part of the learning curve: repetition, he said, remains “the mother of learning”.
“I think he’s getting better and better… I thought he made some really good decisions. I thought he got through some progressions.” — Sean McVay
Yet McVay and others were careful to note the caveats. In three prior seasons, Bennett had not taken a regular-season snap, meaning his experience remains confined to preseason action. That lack of competitive regular-season exposure is a meaningful gap when evaluating readiness to step into a game that counts.
Errors and lessons
The outing was not without a teachable moment. Bennett reached for the pylon late in the game and the initial ruling that he had not scored was overturned to a touchdown. McVay used the incident to underline the finer points of situational awareness: “We’ll learn from reaching the ball out on the end zone... We want to make sure that we don’t leave ourselves susceptible to getting a fumble in those types [of situations].”
- Immediate depth chart — With Garoppolo suspended for the season opener and Ty Simpson still a rookie, Bennett has moved into a position where he could be one play away from action.
- Developmental status — Although promising in preseason, Bennett’s lack of regular-season snaps remains the main reservation.
- Coaching confidence — McVay and the coaching staff have publicly backed Bennett’s progress, pointing to growing command and decision-making.
For Stafford — the veteran presence around whom the Rams’ offence is built — the emergence of a dependable backup is a pragmatic relief. NFL starters invariably need the cushion of a reliable deputy, whether due to injury, form or in-game rotation. Having a backup who looks comfortable in game situations reduces risk for the team and the starter alike.
While preseason form should always be treated with caution, Bennett’s performance offered tangible signs that he could be trusted should the Rams be forced to rely on someone other than Stafford. The coming weeks, particularly regular-season snaps if they arise, will provide the clearest indicator of whether those signs translate into long-term reliability.
