Matthew Stafford missed the entirety of training camp and multiple ensuing weeks of practice last season and then went on to win the NFL’s MVP award and lead his team to the NFC Championship game.
The Los Angeles Rams seem to be drawing one conclusion from last year’s back injury scare: Stafford does not need training camp.
The Rams are already managing the veteran QB’s workload during organized team activities (OTA’s). Stetson Bennett and rookie first-rounder Ty Simpson stand to benefit from additional
practice reps, especially those spent with the first string.
But Bennett seems to have taken a step forward in his fourth season. He recently drew praise from Sean McVay. This excerpt is from Stu Jackson’s recent post on the team website that summarizes the five takeaways from OTA’s:
A spring of “tremendeous growth” for fourth-year QB Stetson Bennett
Between last year’s backup Jimmy Garoppolo being unsigned and contemplating retirement, and the plan the Rams had for Stafford this spring, Bennett received more reps than he normally would…
“I’ve seen tremendous growth,” McVay said. “Obviously, with Matthew not being out here based on the plan and the schedule that we’ve kind of thought was going to be best for him for now and for the long term, Stetson’s gotten a lot more reps than he would’ve otherwise. I think he’s done a really nice job. He’s earning the confidence of his teammates in terms of commanding the huddle. Then, he’s done a lot of good stuff in terms of reading with his feet. [Associate Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach] Dave Ragone does such a good job with those guys as a whole but both he and Ty have had good growth. Stetson especially, I think he’s had a really good last couple of weeks, and I’ve been proud of him.”
If the idea that Stafford needs minimal training camp reps in order to hit the regular season running holds true, an increased workload for both Bennett and Simpson could pay substantial dividends in both the short and long term for the Rams.
Simpson is the team’s future franchise quarterback once Stafford decides to retire and step away. Whether Simpson is second or third string is irrelevant. Reserve quarterbacks often do not develop behind the scenes because there are not enough practice reps to go around. It’s a positive sign and a potential accelerant of Simpson’s career that the Rams can put him on the field and allow him to patiently grow in a controlled environment.
And we should take reported OTA performances with a grain of salt; however, McVay’s praise of Bennett probably suggests that the fourth-year quarterback will enter the 2026 season as Stafford’s primary backup. That is not a rejection of the rookie Simpson. Bad teams often thrust young quarterbacks onto the field before they are ready and capsize the developmental arc of their careers. Bennett himself, without having much on-field play to evaluate, is a testament to patient growth. He’s been on the roster for two full years without playing a snap in a regular season game.
Should Matthew Stafford start the season slow, we can ask the question of whether resting him throughout OTA’s and training camp were the correct decision. Until then, we should appreciate the increased opportunity for Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson to continue developing behind the scenes.
