Saturday marked the first preseason game for Stetson Bennett and the LA Rams. Bennett started at quarterback and played the first two series, but then rookie Ty Simpson came in and lit the world on fire after completing 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The plan all along likely was to give Simpson more playing time since the Rams already know what kind of player Bennett is, but Bennett could benefit from extended playing time in their next preseason game.
Bennett was the Rams’ current backup quarterback heading into this preseason game, and that likely hasn’t changed yet. If Simpson continues to play this well he could eventually move past him though, so it would be nice if Bennett was given the same chance Simpson was.
Stetson Bennett needs the same chance the Rams gave Ty Simpson
Throughout training camp Bennett has been above Simpson on the depth chart. That remained the case on Saturday during the Rams game and it’s unlikely that Simpson’s big game changed anything yet. Bennett however could benefit from the same chance Simpson got in their next game.
If Simpson keeps playing at a high level he could eventually pass Bennett on the depth chart. Neither player stands a chance at being the starter this year as long as fellow quarterback Matthew Stafford stays healthy, but being the backup gives them more reps during practice and the chance to play during the regular season when a game gets out of hand.
Bennett could use that extra playing time to try and prove why the Rams should sign him to a new contract next year. He also needs that playing time to show every other NFL team why they should think about signing him next offseason too. If the Rams keep letting Simpson play in the preseason over Bennett then he could eventually pass him on the depth chart this year, and that could have long term effects on Bennett’s NFL career too.
Stetson Bennett’s NFL future is hanging in the balance
Bennett’s contract with the Rams expires after this season. NFL analysts expect the Rams to let Bennett walk in favor of Simpson regardless of how this season unfolds, so that means Bennett will have to sign a new contract with a different team. His lack of playing time throughout his career with the Rams could make that challenging though.
It looks like Bennett won’t play much during the Rams final two preseason games, he did however get a lot of playing time in the past. Specifically last year he played nearly the entire game in each preseason game, and he played extremely well. NFL organizations will remember that when they think about signing him next offseason, but it’d be nice if Bennett had a chance to show them how good he is right now.
It will be interesting to see how this next year unfolds for Bennett. He likely won’t play much in the Rams final preseason games, and unless injuries occur he won’t play much if at all during the regular season either. The Rams could opt to resign him again next year, but after drafting Simpson in the first round this year that isn’t a guarantee.
Maybe he’ll finally get a chance to compete for a starting job next year on a new team, but he needs as many opportunities as he can get this year to increase his chances of being a starter somewhere else next offseason.
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