Stetson Bennett missed first Rams season due to 'mental health' as quarterback explains mystery absence

Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett has explained why he missed the entirety of his rookie season last year - telling reporters on Tuesday that he was battling 'mental health' issues.

Bennett, a fourth-round pick out of Georgia in 2023, was placed on the Rams' reserve/non-football illness list five days before Los Angeles' regular-season opener.

He was asked on Tuesday if his absence 'fell under the umbrella of mental health,' and replied, 'Yeah, I'd say that.' 

Bennett, who returned to the team for offseason workouts last month, said he was 'nervous' initially but added 'it has 'gotten better each day.'

'Thank goodness that [general manager] Les [Snead] and Coach [Sean] McVay and everybody involved allowed me to do that,' Bennett told reporters, via ESPN.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur added on Tuesday that Bennett was 'in a good place.'

'It's been a pleasure working with him,' he said. I'm not going to get too much into specifics obviously, but he's in a good place and he is out here. He's done a great job being a sponge...'

'He's come to work every single day focused with the intent of getting better. And that's all you can ask these guys. Just if their intent is right, which Stetson's is right now, that's all you can ask. And it's definitely shown.' 

Notably, Bennett was arrested in Dallas, Texas, on public intoxication charges in January before the 2023 NFL Draft after reportedly banging on doors in a residential area at 6 a.m. CT. 

Bennett was expected to be the primary backup to Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford last season before he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list.

He's more likely to be the No. 3 quarterback now after LA signed the experienced Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency - giving him $3million guaranteed according to Spotrac.