Stetson Bennett’s NFL career is hanging in the balance after the LA Rams drafted fellow quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This was a sign to Bennett that the Rams weren’t sold on him as their backup and that he’d have to compete with Simpson for the backup job this year.
The good news for Bennett is that a new report this week indicated that he has an edge over Simpson right now at training camp. The bad news however is that this may not matter in the long run based on the economics of the NFL.
The business side of the NFL could be the reason Stetson Bennett doesn't last with the Rams
The Rams may choose to still ride with Simpson in the long run even if Bennett beats him out this year. That decision wouldn’t have anything to do with their abilities on the field but with how the Rams’ organization can best spend their money.
Both Bennett and Simpson are on their rookie deals right now, so from a financial standpoint they are the same player. That will change after this year when Bennett’s rookie contract expires and he has to sign a new contract.
Even though he hasn’t played a meaningful down of football yet, Bennett’s next contract will be for far more than his rookie deal is. That means that the Rams would have to pay him more than they’re paying Simpson, and for two guys battling for a backup job that may not make a lot of sense.
The Rams also have confidence that Simpson could be a great quarterback in the future because why else would they use a first round pick on him?
The odds unfortunately are stacked against Bennett, but what can he do about it?
How can Stetson Bennett overcome this new challenge?
The only thing Bennett can do right now is compete each and every day and put his best foot forward. If he wants any hope for a successful NFL career he has to beat out Simpson this year, so that has to be his focus right now.
If Bennett can show that he is leaps and bounds better than Simpson then the Rams may want to sign him to another contract. But if the Rams decide to move on from him after this season then Bennett needs as much good tape as possible to try and get another NFL team to sign him.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Bennett is out of the league at this time next year. Whether it’s the Rams or another team, someone will offer him a contract because he will still be a relatively cheap option. The hope though is that whoever signs him will actually give him a chance to play because as he gets older the chance he is ever going to get an opportunity to lead a franchise will continue to decrease.
All it takes is one opportunity, and every Georgia fans knows that Bennett won’t squander it.
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