McVay: Stetson Bennett is Matthew Stafford's Backup During Rams' Jimmy G Suspension

Stetson Bennett will serve as the Los Angeles Rams primary backup quarterback during Jimmy Garoppolo's suspension.

Garoppolo will miss the first two weeks of the 2024 season due to "violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances." While the Rams could have opted to sign a veteran to sit behind Matthew Stafford, head coach Sean McVay is instead letting Bennett take on the responsibility after his performance in two preseason games.

"He did a good job," McVay said, per Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. "I think he got a body of work in terms of both of those games going from wire to wire. I think he's done really well in some of the practice settings. And when you do look at it, you're obviously very fortunate to have Jimmy that will be coming back on Week 3, but he's done enough that we feel good about him for those first couple weeks."

Bennett was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after winning two consecutive National Championships with Georgia. He played in the 2023 preseason but was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list early in his rookie season and would not return.

He returned in the 2024 preseason and it was a mixed bag. He went 41-of-69 for 437 yards and two touchdowns. but notably tossed five interceptions. He threw four of those in one game against the Dallas Cowboys, but this trend could be concerning if he were thrust into game action.

Stafford dealt with some hamstring tightness during training camp, so his health in the first two weeks is not a guarantee. McVay choosing to not seek a more established interim backup shows a vote of confidence in Bennett and that the team is focusing on the potential he has flashed instead of the mistakes he has made.

The Rams will open up the 2024 season on Sept. 8 against the Detroit Lions. Garoppolo will be eligible to return on Sept. 22 against the San Francisco 49ers.