Stetson Bennett's Absence: Rams GM Reveals Burnout as Reason

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead disclosed that quarterback Stetson Bennett took a break from football last season due to exhaustion after consecutive College Football Playoff national championships.

Matthew Stafford remains the undisputed starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, but the team's investment in Stetson Bennett as his backup has raised questions. Bennett, a former Georgia Bulldogs star, missed a significant portion of his rookie campaign due to shoulder issues and a mysterious non-football injury designation.

Initially, the Rams kept their reasons for altering Bennett's roster status confidential, leaving observers puzzled. However, Rams general manager Les Snead has now provided insight into the quarterback's absence.

According to Snead, Bennett experienced burnout after winning back-to-back college football titles. "He's an exhausted human being based on everything he had done," Snead explained to Alabama's News 19. "You know, he walked on at Georgia, went to junior college, came back, turned down smaller schools, and said, 'I'm going to do this Georgia thing.' He won a job, won the championship, and then decided to come back and win it again."

Snead highlighted the immense pressure Bennett faced during his collegiate career, which encompassed the expectations of winning championships and the toll it took on him. "When you come back, it's really win it again, or you failed," Snead remarked. "And that does take a toll on a human being."

The Rams' Super Bowl appearances in 2018 and 2021 served as a reminder of the mental and physical strain associated with championship-level competition. Snead noted that the team fully supported Bennett's decision to step back and refresh.

"We saw what taking a break and giving guys a break from the game to get refreshed can do," Snead said. "I call it getting bored and falling back in love with the game you grew up playing in the backyard."

Bennett has since returned to the Rams and is reportedly competing for the backup role. Rams coach Sean McVay has praised Bennett's work ethic and communication skills.

"He's done a great job," McVay said. "He's got a good look in his eye. I really appreciate the way that he's come to work. He's been really attentive in the meetings."

The Rams will rely on Bennett to provide depth and stability behind Stafford, who is entering his third season with the team. With the addition of veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is suspended for the first two games, Bennett will have an opportunity to prove his worth and contribute to the Rams' success in 2023.