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Stetson Bennett gets great opportunity to work with, learn from fellow Bulldog Matthew Stafford

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•05/02/23•

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Georgia QB Stetson Bennett in the 2023 national championship
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Georgia fans have taken to the Philadelphia Eagles like their own. That’s what happens when a team drafts five Dawgs in two seasons while adding another with a blockbuster trade. Still, there probably isn’t a position group that the Eagles have that stacks up to that of the Los Angeles Rams for Georgia fans.

Matthew Stafford is the starter. He guided the franchise to their second Super Bowl title – their first in Los Angeles – just two seasons ago after being shipped from Detroit to L.A. in a trade. Now, after the 2023 NFL Draft, there’s another Bulldog in the building to back Stafford up. That would be Georgia’s National Championship winning quarterback Stetson Bennett, drafted No. 128 overall this past Saturday.

“We wanted to have an all Athens, UGA quarterback room, and that’s what we’ve got right now,” Rams head coach Sean McVay joked as he spoke with reporters on Saturday after the conclusion of the draft. “I think it’s exciting. I was talking to Zach Robinson (Rams quarterback coach) about that. He’ll do a great job of being able to help him develop, and I’m looking forward to working with Stetson, but what a great opportunity for him to come in and learn from a perennial All-Pro, a great football player who’s been doing it at a high level.”

“It’s not just exclusive to the great things you see Matthew do on Sundays, but the level of preparation and professionalism that exists throughout the week,” McVay continued. “His rhythm and routine, the way he seamlessly, naturally interacts with guys. I think there will be a lot of good things that Stetson will be able to see what it looks like. There’s nothing more powerful than modeling the way. We’re excited about being able to work with him. Stetson’s a good football player, and we’re excited about getting able to work with him.”

Bennett threw for 4,127 yards and 27 touchdowns this past season at Georgia, the first Bulldog quarterback in program history to pass the 4,000-yard mark in a single season. He also added 10 more touchdowns on the ground on his way to being a Heisman Trophy finalist and winner of the Burlsworth Trophy and Manning Award.

In Bennett’s final game, a 65-7 win over TCU for the national title at SoFi Stadium – home of the Rams – in Inglewood, Calif., the Blackshear, Ga. native tied a National Championship Game record for touchdowns accounted for. Bennett threw for four scores and 304 yards on 18-of-25 passing while finding the end zone twice with his legs. He earned Offensive MVP honors for the second straight season and a fifth time in six postseason games.

Stafford was in attendance for Bennett’s impressive performance. He served as Georgia’s honorary captain and was friendly afterwards with his fellow Bulldog signal caller.

Kirby Smart called them “the G.O.A.T.s.” There’s certainly a case to be made that Smart was right in doing so. Either way, the two cross paths once again in Los Angeles, this time as teammates.

“No. Honestly, no. We were kind of caught up in the moment, and that was actually my first time meeting him. I grew up watching him being a fan of Georgia and all, but never could have imagined (being teammates),” Bennett said. “… I’m excited to get in there and start learning the playbook, excited to work with Coach McVay – I hear he’s a genius. Excited to learn from him and excited to learn from Matt.”

“Anytime you can learn from – I don’t know how many years Matt’s been in the league but I remember going to watch him and Knowshon (Moreno) play in ’07 up here in Athens so he’s been there a while. Everybody’s watched Calvin Johnson highlights on YouTube, and he was the one throwing them to him,” Bennett added. “He’s obviously extremely smart. He’s one of the most talented quarterbacks that’s every played the game. He’s tough as nails, and all his teammates seem to always like him. I’m just excited to go in there, be quiet, take notes and learn.”

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