Stafford's successor? Rival coach names Rams' QB understudy most underrated

The Los Angeles Rams have a clear QB1 in former Super Bowl champion and 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Matthew Stafford.

But with Stafford now 38, many have tipped Los Angeles to find a long-term replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Not so fast, according to the comments from a rival head coach, who believes the Rams already have an option on their roster.

That player, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken explained, is the reason the Georgia Bulldogs won the national championship in 2022.

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An unlikely name: Stetson Bennett

Appearing on ESPN's This is Football, Monken, who served as Stetson Bennett's offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2021 to 2022, heaped praise on his former student.

"I underrated his skillset," Monken began. "I tried everything I could, early in his career, to not play him. For a number of reasons - some he has to own, but some I have to own.

"Ultimately he kept competing," he continued. "He got better and better and better."

Challenged about whether Bennett was really the main difference-maker in an already talented Bulldogs side, Monken pushed back hard.

"He gets all the credit," replied the first-time NFL head coach. "The first year we won the national championship in '21, we won with him. In '22, we won it because of him."

Monken doubled down, seemingly at pains to dismiss any notion that Bennett was simply along for the ride.

"We won the national championship because of Stetson Bennett, that's a fact."

Is Bennett Stafford's long-term replacement?

Harry How / Staff

Not likely. Despite making a name for himself as a big-game player in college, Bennett is 28 years old and has never attempted a pass in a regular-season NFL fixture.

Once Stafford retires, and possibly before we reach that point, it seems a foregone conclusion that Sean McVay and Co. will find a talent with more upside, or at least one with pro experience to keep the momentum going.

In my latest mock, I predicted the Rams would select a wideout with their first round pick, before potentially doubling back for a developmental quarterback on Day 2 or later.

While Bennett isn't the long-term plan, Monken's comments suggest that should Stafford miss a game or two, the Rams won't be losing sleep over the man next in line.