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Rams' third-string quarterback Stetson Bennett remains such a curious case, it is truly impossible to determine exactly what he is and what he could become.
The two-time National Champion and Heisman finalist is the most successful Georgia Bulldog quarterback in program history, taking them to heights that couldn't be achieved by Matthew Stafford and others, despite being universally regarded as an "average" quarterback.
However, there isn't anything truly average about Bennett. After missing the 2023 season due to personal issues, he returned in 2024 and was up and down. Bennett was launching interceptions left and right during the 2024 preseason and yet, made critical throws to win both games he participated in.
In two preseason games, Bennett threw five interceptions. He also led the Rams on two straight game-winning touchdown drives. Against the Cowboys, Bennett was sailing the football last preseason from a clean pocket. Then on fourth down with 11 seconds left, down by six points, Bennett rolls from the pocket to his left, throws against his body's momentum for the game-winning score.
Then, in the following game, Bennett threw a direct dot to the opps in the endzone against the Chargers in what should have been a poor performance. That was until Bennett fired a 47-yard missile to J.J. Laap for what would be the game-winning touchdown.
Horrific lows followed by insane highs. That sums up Bennett's career so far, but recent words by OC Mike LaFleur may have alluded to Bennett purging himself of those lows, becoming a more consistent player.
“A ton of growth, particularly from two years ago. A lot of credit to him, working on what he needed to work on to get himself into this situation," LaFleur said.
"But a ton of credit that (Quarterbacks Coach) Dave (Ragone) too and I'll say even Jimmy (Garoppolo) and Matthew. I think they've done a great job of just putting arm around him, mentoring him. What awesome two quarterbacks to learn from that have won a crap ton of games in this league. Proud would be the wrong word but for lack of a better term, proud of where he's at and he's just continuing to go.”
“He needs to play just football, right? We're out here again. We're out playing flag football in shorts right now but I know this, he's going about his process in a professional way each and every day to give himself the best chance when he inevitably gets his ops in August in the preseason.
Considering it's likely Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't play in preseason, Bennett may have three games to determine his NFL future, and if LaFleur's words are true, we could start to see the vision the Rams had for him when they drafted Bennett.
More must-reads:
- Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release
- Sizzling AFC training-camp position battles
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Las Vegas Raiders End Christian Wilkins’ Tenure — Raider Nation Reacts
Las Vegas Raiders fans were shocked to learn that their team had parted ways with Christian Wilkins, their prized 2024 offseason acquisition. Let’s take a look at the reactions on social media, particularly from Raider Nation. In what can be described as the first “shocking” development of training camp, Raiders brass (spearheaded by general manager John Spytek) opted to go in a different direction. Well, that’s putting it nicely. The official statement was uncompromising. “We have decided that it is in the best interest of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of this release from the team. This franchise has a ‘Commitment to Excellence’ on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.” —Raiders statement on Wilkins’ release Here’s the thing: it’s not such a simple story. Wilkins and the Raiders originally agreed to a $110 million contract last offseason. On Thursday, the team opted to designate him as a terminated, vested veteran. Basically, he’s not subject to waivers. If you recall, Wilkins only played in five games last season before a foot injury took him out. Upon entering training camp, the Raiders placed him on the PUP list—naturally, that cast doubt as to whether he’d be available for the start of the season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders took issue with how Wilkins went about rehabbing after his surgery. As a result, the team voided what was left of his $35.2 million in guaranteed money. Also of note was that league insider Ian Rapoport stated that the organization wanted him to undergo another surgery but Wilkins declined. He opted to rehab his foot without additional surgery. Now, the Raiders will be without former general manager Tom Telesco’s prized free agent signing. Raider Nation, as we all know, had a lot to say and didn’t hold back. Raider Nation reacts to shocking Christian Wilkins news… At the end of the day, whether Wilkins plays this season and how the Raiders perform will lead us to revisit this story at some point. Clearly, this means we won’t have a quiet offseason without drama. Right, folks? *
Biggest impact of Josh Naylor trade may still be to come
While the Seattle Mariners landed an impact bat on Thursday night, their trade for Josh Naylor has also likely impacted the entire upcoming MLB trade deadline. On Thursday, Seattle sent a pair of top pitching prospects to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Naylor, with left-hander Brandyn Garcia (ranked as Seattle's 13th-best prospect by MLB.com) and right-hander Ashton Izzi (ranked as Seattle's 16th-best prospect by the same rankings) heading to the desert. Knowing what the Diamondbacks received in exchange for Naylor could well set the market for what is to come between now and the conclusion of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. (Eastern) on July 31. The 28-year-old first baseman was ranked by The Athletic as the 17th-best trade candidate likely to be available, but ranked behind just one other first baseman (Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn, who was slotted in at 16th). If Naylor brought in a pair of pitching prospects, including Garcia, who has appeared in two games this season for Seattle, the Diamondbacks could be salivating over what third baseman Eugenio Suarez and his 36 home runs could bring in return. All MLB teams who will be buying or selling at this year's trade deadline have had the first price bar set for them with the Naylor deal. Now it will be fascinating to see what comes next, especially knowing that Naylor will be a free agent at the end of this season. If Seattle gave up two pitching prospects for a player who could be a late-season rental only, imagine what the Minnesota Twins may be able to recoup for starting pitcher Joe Ryan (under team control through the 2027 season) or the Boston Red Sox might get back for outfielder Jarren Duran, who won't be a free agent until the 2029 campaign. While Naylor may not be the biggest move to come during this span before the trade deadline comes to a close, his deal could be the one that establishes selling prices for the trades that are to come. With so few MLB teams expected to be outright sellers, the price for available talent was expected to be high. We learned on Thursday night with the Naylor swap just how high those prices may go.
Los Angeles Lakers’ perfect move in 2025 offseason
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the 2025 offseason with a glaring roster need in the form of a capable starting center. Given the slim free agent market, it always appeared as if the Lakers roster move for a big man would come via trade rather than a signing. But good fortune struck the Lakers when the Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a contract buyout with Deandre Ayton. When Ayton hit the free agent market, the Lakers pivoted accordingly and were able to come to terms on an agreement, giving the team their starting caliber center. Coming into the offseason, there was no indication that a player of Ayton’s caliber was going to be available. And for the Lakers to secure his services, that was a major win in itself. But the Ayton signing was not the Lakers’ best roster move of the offseason. That move came a few weeks later with another position of need. A starting center was not the Lakers’ only glaring roster need. With the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith, the team needed a capable perimeter defender who could step into the starting lineup if need be. And it was another stroke of luck and team buyout that allowed the Lakers to make their best offseason move. Lakers’ Marcus Smart signing was best offseason move When the Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract, he took some time before deciding on his next destination. But when it was announced that the Washington Wizards were going to buy out Marcus Smart’s contract, it was also revealed that he had already decided on signing with the Lakers. The organization obviously was aware that a buyout was coming, and Luka Doncic reportedly pushed hard personally in recruiting Smart to the Lakers. And when Smart eventually made his decision, this automatically became the best move of the offseason for the team. It wasn’t just the Minnesota Timberwolves’ frontcourt that hurt the Lakers during their opening round elimination in the playoffs. The Lakers’ defense struggled to contain dribble penetration from the Wolves’ perimeter players. And that’s where Smart comes in. Obviously the Lakers are banking on Smart being healthy, as injuries have hampered his availability and production the past couple of seasons. But if he is able to stay healthy, he brings a defensive toughness and intensity that nobody else on the roster possesses. Once the Lakers got their starting center via free agency. It seemed logical that they would have to acquire a defensive-minded perimeter player through trade using the assets they would have given up in a deal for a big man. But they didn’t have to use any of those assets. The Lakers still have their draft picks, they still have Dalton Knecht, they still have Rui Hachimura and they still have their expiring contracts. The front office managed to improve the roster while essentially not having to give up anything of value. The Smart signing was the icing on the cake. When summer league first got underway in Las Vegas, Smart was a name the Lakers reportedly were discussing in terms of what it would take to trade for him and if it would be worth the price. The Lakers were able to acquire him while not just holding on to their assets, but at a fraction of the cost. And while nothing will be finalized in terms of rotation until training camp and preseason, Smart still has the ability to be a starting caliber player. He’d be a good fit alongside Austin Reaves in the backcourt while moving Doncic to small forward. He’d slot in as the Lakers’ primary point of attack defender. On paper, this is a legitimate team in the Western Conference. It could be argued that Smart and Ayton essentially fell into the Lakers’ laps, but they still had to seal the deal and both players drew interest from other teams. The Lakers’ pitch to Smart was the more convincing, and that’s why it’s their perfect offseason move.
Why the Raiders pulled the plug on their star DT, and what the stunning move says about their plan
Canucks continue talks with Jack Roslovic, his ask poses problems
A team that has gone through several changes already this summer, the Vancouver Canucks remain active, currently engaged in discussions with unrestricted free agent forward Jack Roslovic. According to reports from Rick Dhaliwal and Cam Robinson, the organization has spoken to Roslovic on several occasions and are still interested in potentially signing him to a free agency deal. Roslovic posted 39 points in 81 games for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25. He is reportedly seeking a two- or three-year deal worth just over $3 million annually. Roslovic could be a solid middle-six contributor for an NHL team, but there is some concern over whether he’s a needle mover. He could be a solution for Canucks, who need a true third-line center, but some wonder if he’s the best place to be using the little cap flexibility Vancouver has. A Roslovic signing would take up much of the $3.2 million available to add to the roster. Can the Canucks work the math out on Roslovic? At this stage of free agency, it’s about finding value in overlooked talent. Roslovic likely won’t be a dynamic top producer, but he has value. The question is if Vancouver can make the math work. He could provide reliable depth scoring, but is that where the money should go? Some believe the Canucks would be better served by taking a bigger swing. On his own, Roslovic likely doesn’t move the Canucks into contender status.
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