Earlier this week former Georgia football quarterback Matthew Stafford won the NFL's Most Valuable Player of the year award. Stafford is the third Bulldog to ever win this award, so this was obviously a great reason for Georgia fans to celebrate.
When accepting the award Stafford announced that he will be returning for another season next year. This was a little bit of a surprise because last offseason he hinted at this season being his last year. But Stafford will be back for at least one more season and will more than likely play for the Los Angeles Rams again.
This is great for Stafford, but his success this season and announcement heading into next year is bad for fellow Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.
"I'll see you guys next year."
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 6, 2026
Matthew Stafford confirms he's coming back to play another season. pic.twitter.com/i7rtj5d3YV
Matthew Stafford hurt Stetson Bennett's development
Ever since entering the NFL Bennett has backed up Stafford in LA. He obviously was never going to start over him unless he started playing really bad, and obviously that never happened. So Bennett has sat in the shadows waiting for his first opportunity to be a starter in the NFL.
Bennett has had a few opportunities with the Rams, but most of those chances coming in preseason games. But he has seized those opportunities and was one of the top players in the NFL this past preseason.
Knowing that there was a chance Staffod could retire after this season, many believed the 2026 season would be Bennett's first true chance in the NFL. Unfortunately that won't happen with Stafford returning for another season.
Bennett has played well enough in his few opportunities so one team will eventually give him a chance. Who knows if that will be next season, but at some point he will get a true opportunity.
So while it is nice to see Stafford find all of this success, it is a bit unfortunate that it has negatively impacted Bennett's career.