Los Angeles Rams Training Camp: Battle for Backup Quarterback Position

With Matthew Stafford off on a planned rest day at the Los Angeles Rams training camp, we got to see a lot of Stetson Bennett and Jimmy Garoppolo . The Rams are caught in a bit of a rock and a hard place. They find themselves needing competent quarterback play from their backup, but also need to think about the future of the position

Los Angeles Rams Training Camp: Battle for Backup Quarterback Position

Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo was brought in during the offseason to provide a steady and experienced backup option. Garoppolo, known for his game management skills, is familiar with head coach Sean McVay ’s offensive system. His prior success with the 49ers and his experience makes him the frontrunner for the backup role, which was proven by his work as the primary option when Stafford was out.

“I thought Jimmy did a really good job. He’s got great command.” Sean McVay said post practice, “You can see he’s played a lot of football. Got through some progressions. I thought he made some really good decisions based on some different things that they had covered.”

He had some pretty good throws in the first padded practice of Rams training camp and looks just as polished as a vet should be. Garoppolo’s presence offers a reliable safety net for the Rams, should Stafford miss any time due to injury.

Stetson Bennett

Stetson Bennett, the Los Angeles Rams fourth-round pick in 2023, is another key player in this competition. Bennett, who missed much of last season, is eager to prove himself. Bennett has the potential to develop into a solid backup and looked great in his time with the second-team offense. He made some tight throws and threaded the needle to Tyler Johnson on a couple of impressive plays, including a would-be touchdown.

His performance in Rams training camp and preseason will determine if he can push Garoppolo for the backup spot or if he will serve as the third-string quarterback, the more likely outcome. It’s unlikely we see much of Bennett in the regular season, but he’s an interesting player to watch if he plays in the preseason as he’s got the potential.

“I thought Stetson had some really good reps, some things where we can be a little bit cleaner, but what you do see from Stetson is the athleticism, the ability.” McVay said. “If we lose contain up front, he can break it and make plays with his legs, and I think that’s good for whether it’s our first group or our second group to understand because there’s going to be some guys like that on the schedule that we can’t get lulled to sleep and just thinking they’re always going to be in that spot if we lose the integrity of our rush lanes.”

Dresser Winn

Dresser Winn was a free agent signing this past season after being picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and a stint in the CFL. So far it’s looked like he’s just a camp body and it’s unlikely he’ll see much action in the Los Angeles Rams preseason.

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