Stetson Bennett Gets First NFL Regular Season Snaps In Rams Loss
Stetson Bennett waited three years for his first NFL regular season snaps. He got them Thursday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The two-time Georgia national champion, drafted by the Rams in the fourth round in 2023 — entered the Melbourne game as the backup to Matthew Stafford after winning the No. 2 quarterback job over rookie Ty Simpson.
He took mop-up snaps in the 49ers' win, making him the last of his college championship teammates to reach the regular season field rather than the first, but reaching it nonetheless.
Bennett's path to this moment was as unusual as any backup quarterback in recent memory. He missed his entire rookie season in 2023 on the non-football illness list while addressing mental health challenges.
He served as emergency third quarterback in 2024 and 2025 without ever appearing in a game that counted. He was passed over multiple times as the Rams kept veteran Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him on the depth chart. He kept working anyway.
Sean McVay praised Bennett's growth throughout training camp, calling him a playmaker who can make off-schedule plays while commanding the offense with authority. Blake Corum said he was "taking a leap and being a field general."
The development finally showed in the preseason, where Bennett threw for 181 yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Saints. It was enough to win the job.
Melbourne was the moment the wait ended. The 49ers won. Bennett played. That part cannot be taken back.
