Rams GM details vision for Stetson Bennett

When the Los Angeles Rams drafted Stetson Bennett in Round 4 of the NFL Draft, they weren't just taking a flier on a QB. The Rams selected Bennett because they believe he can help the team now and in the future. 

Per RamsWire, GM Les Snead views Bennett as the backup QB behind starter Matthew Stafford. 

“I would say on paper that that is our vision," Snead said on the Rich Eisen Podcast. 

Snead acknowledged one of the variables leading to Los Angeles drafting Bennett was salary cap space. The Rams are in a dire situation cap-wise, and opting for a cheap rookie contract instead of signing a veteran backup seems like a logical move. Per OverTheCap.com, the Rams have just 1.758 million in cap space while Bennett's 2023 salary of $750,000 accounts for just 0.3 percent of the total cap.  

"Anytime you go into the draft, you never know with a QB, there’s only so many of them,” Snead said. “But we did think that it could be very beneficial if we could find a young quarterback to develop as a backup. That way you don’t get into, let’s call it, renting QBs for a year. And also, with our cap situation, veteran backups do cost more in salary against the cap than players on their rookie contracts."

While the cap was a component, the Rams wanted to find the best option possible behind Stafford and were willing to do so via the draft, free agency, or trade. And they felt Bennett was the best option of all.  

“The vision was, hey, let’s try to find the best backup QB available, and if we can do that in the draft, that’s even more of a benefit to us," Snead explained. "If not, we would’ve pivoted into a different direction.”

The 5-foot-11, 25-year-old Bennett will be as seasoned of a rookie QB as any, playing in six collegiate seasons and winning consecutive national championships at Georgia. The Rams were 5-12 last season and Matthew Stafford missed the last seven games on the schedule. 

Bennett will have to be prepared to take charge at a moment's notice as 35-year-old Stafford has a long injury history. While Snead has a vision of Bennett being the Rams backup and being eased into playing time in years to come, there's a good chance Bennett could be starting games for the Rams this fall if Stafford winds up on the shelf.