Sean McVay didn’t hold back after Stetson Bennett’s latest preseason performance, and it’s easy to see why.
The Rams backup quarterback put together one of the sharpest showings of his pro career on Saturday, helping Los Angeles roll past the New Orleans Saints 34-0. Bennett threw for 181 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and McVay pointed to the same trait that has kept Bennett in the conversation since returning to the team: he looks different when the stage gets bigger.
“I agree with that," said McVay. "I thought he used his legs as a weapon, which we talked about a little bit with you guys last week.
I think those are the things that don't necessarily come to life in some of the practice settings. The fourth-down play that he made was unbelievable.
We got a little roll pass on, they got a slot pressure. For him to be able to pull up and make that throw to allow us to be able to run underneath that, that was an incredible throw and catch.
Great job by Tyler Scott. Really, I was happy with Stetson and I thought Ty (Simpson) did a great job managing the reps that he had as well.”
That wasn’t the only part of Bennett’s game that drew praise. McVay said the quarterback is stacking progress from one preseason to the next, and he liked how Bennett handled the game with more command and better decisions.
“Yeah, I think so," said McVay. "I think he’s getting better and better.
I think part of it is the overall command. I thought he made some really good decisions.
I thought he got through some progressions. Then I love the fact that he used his legs.
We'll learn from reaching the ball out on the end zone even though I challenged that and it worked out for us. We want to make sure that we don't leave ourselves susceptible to getting a fumble in those types of situations where it goes to a touchback.
But he did a great job. I thought he got an opportunity to be able to really showcase a lot of his skills.
Huge credit to Dave Ragone too. I think those two guys were really in sync and it was fun to watch.”
McVay also credited quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone, along with Matthew Stafford and former backup Jimmy Garoppolo, for helping Bennett continue to develop. That matters because Bennett didn’t get many chances to grow last season while stuck in the QB3 role, but McVay said he stayed ready by taking mental reps and keeping himself prepared for the next opening.
"He's an easy guy to be able to root for," said McVay. "He's just got a nice swag and a nice presence and especially like what we asked earlier, you feel his game really comes to life in game-day settings.
The gamer thing, he's just got a good feel and it's not too big. He loves competing and it's fun to watch him do it.”
Bennett is now battling first-round rookie Ty Simpson for the QB2 job, and McVay didn’t say whether Bennett will get the chance to play in the preseason finale. Saturday may have been his last preseason appearance, and possibly his last one in a Rams uniform, if the team doesn’t extend him. He’ll be a free agent after the season if that happens.
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