3 Free Agent Quarterbacks the Rams Can Sign as Stetson Bennett Insurance

Who will back up Matthew Stafford in 2023 if Stetson Bennett doesn't return to football? These are the Rams' three best options.
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with quarterback
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with quarterback / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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3. Jameis Winston

This is my personal favorite option on the list.

You've gotta think Jameis Winston understands that he's not going to land himself directly into another NFL starting job at this point. And with no off-field issues popping up while he made only 10 starts across four years in New Orleans, it seems like he's willing to play that backup role in a legitimate way.

But at the same time, you know he's gotta be hoping to end up leading another NFL offense before his career is out. And the Rams become a really interesting fit then.

Sean McVay's reputation as a QB guru could do a lot to help Winston's image. Stafford has also missed at least 2 starts in each of the last two years, so the chances are Winston would at least get one feature game like Wentz did.

Plus, who knows how much longer Stafford will be around? And this Rams offense has enough talent to let a QB show what they've got.

So this is a situation where being patient as a backup could not only help Winston develop his game under McVay, but could earn him a perfect showcase opportunity in hopes of makign a late-career resurgence as a starter.

And from the Rams' perspective, Winston may be a high-variance kind of passer, but that's nothing new to a team who saw Matt Stafford lead the league in interceptions in 2021. Winston has what it takes to win games if he's needed for a few starts.

Plus, if that "career resurgence" storyline does come true, perhaps Winston is happy to do it while starting in L.A., sticking with the team and coach that brought his career back. That would make him the perfect bridge between Stafford and a new franchise quarterback who can be drafted and developed.

Maybe I'm creating too much of a hypothetical storyline in my head here, but Winston brings the highest upside to the organization of any of these backups.

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