Latest news with #MikeLaFleur
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rams OC Mike LaFleur explains how QB Stetson Bennett has 'grown up so much'
One of the biggest areas of intrigue in the Los Angeles Rams roster is the progression of backup quarterback Stetson Bennett. The former two-time college football national champion and 2023 fourth-round pick hasn't seen any NFL action after being away from the team his entire rookie season and sitting behind Jimmy Garoppolo in 2024. This year, though, the Rams have reportedly seen a lot of growth from Bennett as he looks to cement himself as the clear QB3 on the roster behind Matthew Stafford and Garoppolo. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur praised Bennett for the progress he's made over the past two years and noted that he's "in such a good spot mentally," too. "He's grown up so much. He's in such a good spot mentally," LaFleur said at training camp. "He's had great command of the huddle compared to what it used to be, but what I think is even better is when that ball snaps, he's just playing so fast. He has a knack, you can see it from his college film, and it's coming through here in year three. He has a knack of space and feeling space, when to speed up his drops and when to tempo it down. What's been most impressive, particularly the first few days when he was going against the one defense a lot, that pocket is collapsed and he just knows where his outlets are. Hey, don't make a bad play worse. He's done a great job of that. He continues to stack days. He's going to get a lot of ops in the preseason, which will be great for him.' Bennett hasn't been that great when he's seen the field, though. He passed for 784 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions in five preseason games over the past two years. It's just the preseason, but those numbers aren't going to cut it in the NFL. But with another full offseason and season to learn under Stafford, Garoppolo and Sean McVay, Bennett could develop into a more serviceable quarterback for the Rams' future. The Rams don't need Bennett to be good this year — or even next year. But they'd like to see him on the field in the preseason more to properly evaluate if he could be an heir to Stafford in the coming years. And while they'd love to see Stafford out there practicing (he's currently nursing a back injury), the extra reps for Bennett behind Garoppolo will certainly be helpful in his long-term development. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams OC explains how QB Stetson Bennett has 'grown up so much'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rams proud of Stetson Bennett's growth, but he still has a long way to go
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett is entering his third season in the NFL. Bennett, a former Georgia Bulldog, has improved, but is a long way away from starting for the Rams. The former two-time national champion quarterback is the Rams' No. 3 quarterback behind starter Matthew Stafford and veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo. Bennett has yet to attempt a pass in his NFL career, but appears to be set as Los Angeles' third-string quarterback. The Rams don't have a fourth-string quarterback competing with Bennett, who is expected to maintain his role on the practice squad. Advertisement Despite no significant change in his role, the Rams like where Bennett is entering his third season in the NFL. 'A ton of growth, particularly from two years ago,' Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said regarding Bennett. 'A lot of credit to him, working on what he needed to work on to get himself into this situation. But a ton of credit that (quarterbacks coach) Dave (Ragone) too and I'll say even Jimmy and Matthew. I think they've done a great job of just putting arm around him, mentoring him. What awesome two quarterbacks to learn from that have won a crap ton of games in this league. Proud would be the wrong word but for lack of a better term, proud of where he's at and he's just continuing to go.' Bennett is entering a critical phase in his NFL career. He continues to need to exhibit improvement in order to remain the Rams' third-string quarterback. He typically gets a lot of action in the preseason, so that will serve as a big opportunity for him. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, so the Rams are hoping to develop a quarterback that can take over once he retires. With Jimmy Garoppolo also being 33 years old, Bennett is the Rams' top quarterback of the future option on the Rams' roster. However, NFL teams expect a lot out of their starting quarterbacks, so Bennett, who is 27 years old, will have to continue proving himself in order to ever get a chance to compete for the starting role in Los Angeles (or with any NFL team). Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws the ball What next for Bennett? OTAs are complete, but Los Angeles has mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. Bennett will look to get more opportunities at that. Advertisement 'He needs to play just football, right?' LaFleur added. 'We're out here again. We're out playing flag football in shorts right now but I know this: He's going about his process in a professional way each and every day to give himself the best chance when he inevitably gets his ops (opportunities) in August in the preseason.' Bennett is looking to make the most of his opportunities ahead of the preseason. Last year, Bennett attempted the second-most passes (69) and recorded the second-most passing yards (437) of any quarterback in the preseason. However, Bennett threw five interceptions, which was the most (tied) of any quarterback during the preseason. If Bennett wants a chance to start or consistently serve as a second-string quarterback in the NFL, then he needs to limit turnovers. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: What's next for former Georgia QB Stetson Bennett?
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Disney Channel star Brenda Song has some advice for Rams OC and DC
Brenda Song is still salty about the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional playoff game earlier this year. In an interview with Mythical Kitchen, Song explained what went wrong in the game and how the Rams could have and should have gone to the Super Bowl. Song was asked what she would have done to prevent Eagles running back Saquon Barkley from rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-22 win for Philadelphia. Her answer was simply about personnel: 'Let me tell [defensive coordinator] Chris Shula. I like you a lot. I like what you've done with our front four," Song said. "But my issue is: We don't have a run-stopper. We don't use our middle linebackers in the middle. We can't stop the run. That's our biggest problem besides our O-line. We cannot stop the run more than anything." Song then shifted gears to the offense, especially coordinator Mike LaFleur, and how one play ruined the Rams' Super Bowl aspirations. "Let's talk about Mike LaFleur, our OC, about our O-line and why Jalen Carter sacked Matthew Stafford," Song continued. "The Philadelphia score should have been 28-29 and the Rams should have been — we would have murdered the Commanders. Sorry, Jayden Daniels, but we would have been in the Super Bowl.' And when she was asked about the biggest regret in her life, Song was also thinking about the Rams: 'Not being an offensive lineman," she said, "so I could have protected Matt Stafford from that Jalen Carter sack.' That Carter sack is the stuff of nightmares for the Rams, as the All-22 replay showed Los Angeles could have scored a game-winning touchdown had Stafford not been taken down. Check out the full interview here: The Rams hope for a return trip to the playoffs in 2025 but with better results. Matthew Stafford will be back, as well as most of the offensive line. But what else happens will come down to the Rams' choices in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
