The Los Angeles Rams have a young quarterback depth chart, but could they add more experience to the quarterback room before the season starts?
Future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford is the starter. After Stafford, the depth chart consists of back-up quarterbacks Stetson Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson.
If Stafford were to suffer an injury, is Bennett ready to step in?
After winning two National Championships at Georgia, Bennett was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Since being drafted, Bennett has been absent from the team at times because of mental health related issues. In 2023, he was placed on the reserve/non-football list and stepped away from the team for the year.
The following season, Stetson Bennett revealed that he had spent time back home in Georgia. General manager, Les Snead, suggested that Bennett had become exhausted from the pressure of his football journey. During his time away from the team, Jimmy Garoppolo became the team’s backup quarterback. Even though he never played in any meaningful games with the Rams, Garoppolo’s previous experience made him the perfect backup.
Now that Garoppolo is a free agent, Bennett is next in line to become the backup quarterback but is he ready?
Bennett played in the 2025 preseason finishing with 512 total yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He will also get a chance to show his talent in this year’s preseason.
There are a few options for the Rams if they don’t trust the youth behind Stafford. While there are limited options, the Rams could still make a few bold moves if they feel it’s necessary.
If the Rams decided that additional experience is necessary, they could look to re-sign Garoppolo, another veteran quarterback or even look towards the supplemental draft.
Is Stetson Bennett Ready to Be the Rams’ Backup Quarterback?
Jimmy Garoppolo
Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo was the Rams’ backup quarterback for the last two years. After his time in Las Vegas, he became a backup playing behind Stafford. While, the Rams have to sign him because he is a free agent, he is an affordable option and at age 34 Garoppolo is a great option if youth is the problem.
A reunion with Garoppolo seems unlikely but the Rams could still sign him if Stetson Bennett isn’t ready.
“Hey, I’d love to have Jimmy Garoppolo back with us. That’s a big deal for us. He’s earned the right to be able to take his time and do whatever he wants,” McVay said at this year’s NFL Annual Meeting.
Cooper Rush
Veteran Cooper Rush is my dark horse selection for the Rams. He is an eight-year veteran who has spent seven years with the Dallas Cowboys backing up Dak Prescott. Last year, he served as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens starting two games.
He is a pro and can handle himself if Stafford is injured. While his best years were in Dallas from 2022-2024, he can be a great veteran and help Stetson Bennett and Simpson. He is also another affordable option and brings similar experience like Garoppolo.
Brendan Sorsby
The Rams could also make a bold move by selecting Brendan Sorsby in the NFL supplemental draft. Sorsby was the starting quarterback of Texas Tech University, but he is also in the middle of one of the biggest issues in collegiate sports. After transferring to Texas Tech, it was revealed that Sorsby had placed sports bet while a student athlete at Indiana University.
Collegiate rules prohibit student athletes from wagering on any collegiate or professional sports sponsored by the NCAA. Sorsby bet at least $90,000 on Indiana games while a member of the Indiana program and has been battling the NCAA for the ability to play.
Sorsby recently parted ways with Texas Tech and opted to enter the NFL supplemental draft which is a second draft for players who missed the traditional draft. Players who weren’t in the traditional NFL draft get an opportunity to be selected by an NFL team.
If a team is interested in selecting a player in the supplemental draft, they can submit a draft pick. The team that submits the highest draft pick, receives that player and forfeits the corresponding pick in the draft next year.
If the Rams use a third or fourth round pick, they could get Sorsby which could add some competition in preseason.
Sorsby was a top target in the transfer portal after spending the last two years at the University of Cincinnati. At Cincinnati, Sorsby threw for 5,613 yards and 45 touchdowns. He was slated to be a star this year leading the Red Raiders back to the College Football Playoffs. Based on Sorsby’s skill and talent, he would have been a top quarterback selected in the draft.
While Sorsby would be another rookie, he could be a great option as a backup and compete for the starting job after Stafford retires.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
