Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Stetson Bennett returned to the team after taking a year off to deal with his mental health, he confirmed to reporters after practice this week.
first georgia star, who won back-to-back national championships with the Bulldogs before being selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, returned to the practice field this week.
Stetson Bennett, number 13 of the Los Angeles Rams, participates in drills during OTAs on May 21, 2024 at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
“It's great to be back in football, it's what I love,” Bennett said on Tuesday.
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The Georgia native participated in the Rams' offseason last year, played during the preseason and was expected to serve as Matthew Stafford back. However, just before the start of the regular season, he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list.
“I was at home. As far as what led up to that, what happened and all that, I think we'll keep it at home,” he said, declining to elaborate. “But it was good. I came home and thank God that Les [Snead] and coach [Sean] “McVay and everyone involved allowed me to do that.”
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett #13 passes against the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a preseason game at Empower Field at Mile High on August 26, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
RAMS GM SAYS STETSON BENNETT NEEDED 'A BREAK FROM THE GAME' DURING ROOKIE SEASON
Bennett said he hoped to return to the team eventually and made the decision after several conversations with Rams brass. He admitted the decision was difficult, but “one we felt was necessary at the time.”
Bennett was then asked directly if the reason he walked away fell under the “mental health umbrella.”
“Yes, I would say that,” he confirmed.
Stetson Bennett, No. 13, shakes hands with running back Josh Wallace, No. 30, during OTAs on May 21, 2024 at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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Bennett, 26, is once again competing for the substitute position, this time alongside the veteran communicator. Jimmy Garoppolo, who was signed in March. Garoppolo, however, will miss the first two games of the season after he was suspended for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
“It's been a pleasure to work with him,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said of Bennett. “I'm not going to go into too much detail, obviously, but he's in a good place and he's here… He's come to work every day focused with the intention of getting better and that's all you can ask these guys. If His intention is right, like Stetson's is right now, that's all you can ask and it definitely shows.”
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