Stetson Bennett Surging at Rams Camp: Former Georgia Star Outshining Jimmy Garoppolo in Battle
Stetson Bennett is back — and this time, he’s not just making headlines, he’s making believers.
After a tumultuous start to his NFL journey and a 2023 season largely shrouded in mystery and personal challenges, the former Georgia Bulldogs legend is not only on the field but lighting it up. As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for the 2025 NFL season, one of the most unexpected and compelling storylines of training camp has been the rise — or perhaps the resurgence — of Bennett, who is reportedly outshining veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in their ongoing battle for the backup spot behind Matthew Stafford.
And it’s not just hype. It’s real. Coaches, teammates, and analysts are all saying the same thing: Stetson Bennett looks sharper, more confident, and more in control than ever before. If training camp is any indication of what’s to come, the former walk-on turned two-time national champion is on a collision course with a much bigger role in the Rams’ quarterback plans.
Coming into camp, the assumption was clear. With Stafford returning as the unquestioned starter and Garoppolo signed in free agency to provide experienced insurance, Bennett was expected to fight simply for a roster spot. After missing all of last season due to personal reasons that the Rams and Bennett have respectfully kept private, the second-year QB was mostly an unknown quantity. But inside the organization, they knew what they had — and now, the world is seeing it.
“Stetson’s been the most consistent quarterback on this field not named Matthew Stafford,” said one NFC scout observing Rams practice this week. “He’s reading defenses, making NFL-level throws, and commanding the huddle like a ten-year vet. You wouldn’t believe this guy missed an entire year.”
From the first week of camp, Bennett has shown a command of Sean McVay’s complex offense that few expected, given his time away. He’s processing coverages quickly, delivering the ball with accuracy and touch, and showing a deep understanding of timing and anticipation — two crucial traits in McVay’s system.
But beyond the mechanics, what’s impressed observers most is his poise.
“He’s always been cool under pressure,” said Rams QB coach Zac Robinson. “We saw that in college — that fearlessness, that belief in himself. But now, it’s evolved. He’s not just a gamer anymore. He’s a professional quarterback. He’s leading in meetings, challenging guys, setting the tone. It’s impressive.”
Meanwhile, Garoppolo — a former Super Bowl starter and long-time NFL veteran — has struggled to find his rhythm early in camp. Though he arrived with the expectation of solidifying the backup job, inconsistency and limited mobility have hampered his early showings. Interceptions, underthrown balls, and hesitation in red zone drills have opened the door for Bennett to take more reps with the second-team offense — and he’s capitalized on every opportunity.
During one recent scrimmage against the Chargers, Bennett led three scoring drives in four possessions, including a dazzling two-minute drill capped by a 25-yard touchdown strike on the run. Garoppolo, on the other hand, threw a pair of interceptions and failed to move the chains in multiple series.
The buzz is growing.
Local media outlets have begun clamoring for more Bennett coverage. National reporters are showing up to Rams camp with questions centered around the same thing: “Is Stetson Bennett really back — and is he better than ever?”
McVay isn’t tipping his hand publicly, but he hasn’t held back praise either.
“Stetson’s had a great camp,” McVay said during a press conference. “He’s put in the work. He’s shown maturity, and he’s executing at a high level. He’s earned every rep he’s gotten. We’re proud of the progress he’s made.”
Perhaps no one is surprised more than Bennett himself — not because he doubted his ability, but because the journey back was as uncertain as it was personal.
When Bennett was placed on the non-football illness list prior to the 2023 season, speculation swirled. Was it physical? Mental? Off-the-field issues? The Rams kept things quiet, respecting Bennett’s privacy. The only thing they made clear was that he needed time — and that they were giving it to him.
That decision — rare in a cutthroat NFL environment — may have changed the trajectory of Bennett’s career.
“Not every organization would have handled it the way the Rams did,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “They stuck with Stetson when a lot of teams would have cut bait. And now, they’re being rewarded for that patience.”
For Bennett, that support seems to have made all the difference.
“I had a lot to figure out — mentally, emotionally, all of it,” Bennett said in a rare post-practice interview. “But I never lost my love for the game. I never stopped preparing. I just needed time. And now I’m here to show what I can do.”
The time off wasn’t spent idle. Sources close to Bennett say he stayed connected to football, studied tape, and kept in close contact with Rams staff. He also spent time reconnecting with family, resetting his priorities, and re-focusing on the opportunity he had in front of him.
That opportunity is now wide open.
The Rams view Stafford as their starter — for now. But the veteran is 37, has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, and is nearing the twilight of a remarkable career. Garoppolo was brought in as an insurance policy, but his deal is short-term and incentive-laden. If Bennett continues his current trajectory, the Rams could see him as a long-term option — or, at the very least, the primary backup and potential successor.
There’s also the element of leadership. Bennett, once labeled too small, too old, or not pro-ready, has won over the locker room with his work ethic and humility. Veteran receiver Cooper Kupp called him “one of the smartest guys in the room.” Rookie wideout Malik Nabers said Bennett has “that dawg in him,” adding, “He leads like he’s been doing this forever.”
That leadership was never in doubt for those who watched him at Georgia. The same guy who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships, who orchestrated a blowout win in the 2023 title game, and who played his best in the biggest moments — that’s the version showing up at Rams camp now. Only this time, he’s more polished. More professional. More determined than ever.
What happens next could be one of the league’s most interesting quarterback developments heading into the preseason.
If Bennett continues to outperform Garoppolo in practice and in the upcoming preseason games, the Rams will face a decision. Do they keep both as backups? Trade one? Promote Bennett to the No. 2 job and potentially save cap space? Do they view him as more than just a backup?
The coaching staff is mum on the depth chart for now, but insiders say Bennett has taken the majority of the second-team snaps this past week — a strong indicator of the direction things are trending.
If nothing else, Stetson Bennett has reminded everyone — including himself — of why he made it this far. The chip on his shoulder that carried him from junior college to Georgia, from walk-on to champion, is still there. Only now, it’s sharpened by maturity, shaped by adversity, and fueled by belief — from himself, and from a franchise that never gave up on him.
“I’m not trying to prove people wrong,” Bennett said after a strong scrimmage. “I’m just trying to prove the people who believe in me right.”
So far, he’s doing exactly that.
The preseason looms, and all eyes will be on No. 13 when the Rams take the field. For Stetson Bennett, it’s more than just another game. It’s the next chapter in a story that refuses to follow the script — and may be just getting started.
