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Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett looks to pass during a preseason game against the Chargers in August. Will Bennett be backing up Matthew Stafford next season? (Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Rams were confident that they found star quarterback Matthew Stafford’s backup — and possible successor — when they selected Stetson Bennett in the fourth round of last year’s NFL draft,
It did not play out as planned.
Bennett, who led Georgia to two consecutive national titles, was placed on the nonfootball injury/illness list for an undisclosed issue after the preseason and has not been a part of the team since.
Brett Rypien was released at midseason after proving not to be the answer as Stafford’s backup, and Carson Wentz is a pending unrestricted free agent.
That leaves Stafford, 36, as the only quarterback on the roster.
Read more: Rams release veteran center Brian Allen as roster overhaul begins
Whether Bennett will return to the Rams remains an open question.
Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that the Rams would “connect” with Bennett “at the appropriate time” to determine his status.
“And you figure out, ‘All right, where are you at? And is this something we feel like is best for him and our football team to bring him back into this ecosystem?” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters.
“Those will be conversations that we will have. And then I think once we have a better idea of what we’ll do with that, then that will give clarity.”
Bennett’s situation is only one of many that McVay, general manager Les Snead and college and pro scouts will evaluate as they turn their attention to free agency and the draft.
The Rams are coming off a 10-7 season and a playoff appearance. So expectations for next season will be greater than last year, when the Rams pulled back in spending and relied on young, unproven players.
The NFL salary cap has not been set, but it is expected to rise from last year’s $224.8 million, and the Rams…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-coach-sean-mcvay-hoping-235551231.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-02-22 23:55:51
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