Quarterback Stetson Bennett of the Los Angeles Rams is expected to return to the NFL in 2024 after missing his first campaign due to personal issues. That could have to come from somewhere else, as the former two-time national champion is looking for a chance to establish himself.
The fact that Bennett, 26, is over eight months away from his final snaps against competition puts him at a disadvantage. He was vying to be the backup quarterback for the Rams in 2023, but after a poor preseason, he now sits far behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in the depth chart as the summer approaches.
However, Bennett is still a two-time national champion who won CFP National Championship Offensive MVP twice and was selected with the 128th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If a better opportunity is what he wants and Los Angeles determines he could have a better chance to prove himself elsewhere, there are a few options around the NFL that stick out.
Realistically, Bennett likely won’t find an opportunity to become a starter for Week 1 of the 2024 season. He’s also still under contract with Los Angeles, so playing in the UFL is out of the question. If Bennett is willing to compete for a backup quarterback job, though, there could be options.
There might be one NFL team that would conceivably start Bennett in 2024 without an injury. As of now, the Denver Broncos’ only viable quarterback option for the upcoming season is Jarrett Stidham. While he does have a vote of confidence from Sean Payton, Stidham’s NFL career doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. For a potential late-round pick swap, Bennett would land in a favorable situation. Payton’s system has made shorter quarterbacks with above-average athleticism and solid accuracy look good. If Bennett was traded to Denver before June, he would have enough time to learn the Broncos’ system and become their backup quarterback. Then, if Stidham struggles, Bennett could get his shot to prove himself.
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