THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett says he took time away from football last year to address his mental health.
Bennett said Tuesday he felt refreshed and ready to play again. The two-time national champion at Georgia State has been taking part in team activities organized by the Rams during the offseason.
Bennett was a fourth-round pick by the Rams after winning his second national title with the Bulldogs in January 2023. He participated in team activities for Los Angeles and was active in the preseason while competing for the backup spot to Matthew Stafford under coach Sean McVay.
However, Bennett left the Rams before the start of the regular season and did not return to the team in 2023.
“I stayed home,” Bennett said, “and I think we're going to keep all of that internally private about what caused it and what happened, but it was good. I went home and thankfully (general manager) Les (Snead) and coach McVay allowed me to do that.”
When asked if his absence was related to his mental health, Bennett said, “Yes, it is.”
Bennett, 26, said he spoke regularly with the Rams coaching staff during his absence and that he intended to play football again.
“The first day of the offseason program, I was pretty nervous,” Bennett said of returning to the Rams earlier this spring. “The nerves went away. I wouldn't say they're gone completely, but as I worked at it, I got better every day.”
The Rams handed the backup job to Brett Rypien last season, but he struggled through a game and a half while Stafford was injured. Los Angeles then signed Carson Wentz, but he only played a significant role in the Rams' regular-season finale while Stafford was rested for the playoffs.
The Rams signed longtime NFL starter Jimmy Garoppolo as Stafford's backup this year, but Bennett has been attending practices with other players in hopes of earning a role.
“It's good to be back playing football,” Bennett said. “I love football.”
Garoppolo is Suspended for the first two games He stepped down as manager for the season after he said he made a mistake when applying for a therapeutic use exemption for an unnamed substance.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
