If Matthew Stafford can’t start for Rams, former QB says there’s ‘no way’ Super Bowl champ should replace him

If Matthew Stafford can’t start for Rams, former QB says there’s ‘no way’ Super Bowl champ should replace him originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Los Angeles Rams could have a quarterback problem on their hands if Matthew Stafford’s back isn’t healed by Week 1.

Stafford, dealing with a lingering back injury, has yet to participate in any of the Rams’ practices or preseason activities so far.

“Asked to confirm whether QB Matthew Stafford worked out as scheduled, a Rams official declined to comment and said coach Sean McVay would address the situation on Monday,” Gary Klein reported on X.

The silver lining is that if Stafford isn’t ready to suit up against the Houston Texans in the opener, the Rams have a proven option in Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo is a two-time Super Bowl champion from his New England Patriots days behind Tom Brady. As the starter for the San Francisco 49ers, he led them to a Super Bowl appearance and has a 4-2 record in the playoffs.

However, he is 3-4 in last set of starts with the Raiders over the last two seasons.

That said, not everyone believes Garoppolo should be the next man up. Former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert argued that if Stafford can’t go, the Rams should turn to third-year passer Stetson Bennett instead.

“There’s not a world where Jimmy G should start over Stetson if Stafford misses time,” Benkert said.

So far, Bennett has done his part to be QB2. In two preseason games, he has thrown for 512 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Against the Chargers on Saturday night, he was especially sharp, leading a comeback 23-22 win in the final seconds.

One highlight stood out above the rest: a 38-yard touchdown strike to Mario Williams late in the third quarter, a throw that went viral across social media.

Bennett has been the only Rams quarterback to see action this preseason. Whether that’s McVay’s way of testing the 2023 fourth-round pick or simply keeping the oft-injured Garoppolo healthy remains to be seen.

Either way, seeing Bennett — a former two-time national champion with the Georgia Bulldogs — looking strong has to be encouraging for the Rams. With Stafford’s health still uncertain, Los Angeles may need to lean on him sooner than expected.