Matthew Stafford replacements: 6 options for Rams if starting QB is sidelined with back injury

Matthew Stafford replacements: 6 options for Rams if starting QB is sidelined with back injury originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Rams were expected to be competitive in the NFC West despite releasing wide receiver Cooper Kupp. He was replaced with Davante Adams, and it felt like Los Angeles' offense was going to click and be fun to watch.

Then, training camp began. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford decided not to retire, assuring Los Angeles that he had enough left in the tank to be a competitive starting quarterback in the league. Stafford wasn't participating much during training camp and practices, and it turned out he was dealing with an injury. 

The 37-year-old quarterback has an aggravated disk in his back. It causes soreness and pain, and he hasn't been able to throw. Even with head coach Sean McVay downplaying the injury and stating that Stafford was expected to return to practice after the team's first preseason game, Stafford was seen entering a recovery chamber and has still not returned to practice as of Aug. 14. 

Matthew Stafford walked into this Ammortal chamber. Ammortal advertises itself as a "wellness device that aims to optimize human performance and promote holistic health through a combination of non-invasive technologies." He is not practicing today. pic.twitter.com/KQ2GEmUk0Q

— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) August 11, 2025

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With only three weeks to go until the regular season, here are six replacement options for Stafford. 

Matthew Stafford replacements

Stetson Bennett IV

The first option for the Rams is to look inward. The quarterback room consists of Stafford, Bennett, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Dresser Winn. The latter is likely going to be the odd man out and a roster cut casualty, but he could be brought back on the practice squad. If Stafford is sidelined, the first look would be internally at the roster. 

Bennett would serve two purposes. First, he would act as a Band-Aid and take over the offense until Stafford could return. This would allow the Rams not to have to trade any assets or allocate any additional salary toward their quarterback room by bringing someone else in. Second, Stafford's years in the league are numbered, and Bennett could be the succession plan if he can show that he can handle the offense. 

He will turn 28 during the 2025 season and has not played in any regular-season games. Bennett is only under contract through the 2026 season, when he will be 29. Starting him now in place of Stafford would help L.A. determine if he can be a stopgap as they search for another franchise QB. 

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Jimmy Garoppolo 

Did you remember that Jimmy G was on the Rams? Well, he is still clinging to a roster spot. Garoppolo signed a one-year extension for the 2025 season. He is 34, and his start could help him audition for other teams, whether it be for the offseason in a free agent deal or a trade at some point during the season.

If the Rams don't think that Bennett factors into their long-term plan, Garoppolo would make more sense as an option with more experience and upside. 

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Whoever the Browns cut

Cleveland has said that they are fine carrying four quarterbacks on their active roster, but that just seems like a horrible decision unless they are planning to use the entire 2025 season to evaluate players at the position for the future. 

With Joe Flacco not receiving preseason game reps, all signs point to him starting the regular season under center. This means that Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders will be backups, on the practice squad, or possibly released. Pickett has starting experience in the NFL. Gabriel and Sanders would present Los Angeles with a young option who could play in favor of Stafford while he recovers and be mentored by him. 

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Carson Wentz

Wentz spent the 2024 season as the backup to Patrick Mahomes, but the 32-year-old is currently a free agent and available to join the Rams. He has plenty of starting experience from his tenure with the Eagles and Colts. Wentz was with the Rams in 2023, and he should be able to pick the playbook back up relatively quickly if they needed him to. 

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Jaren Hall

Hall didn't feel like he got a fair shake with the Vikings. Hall was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of BYU. With Minnesota dealing with injuries, he played in three games as a rookie, finishing the season with only 168 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. 

Hall was waived by Minnesota ahead of the 2024 season and spent that year with the Seahawks. He is a free agent who is on the older side at 27, but could be a worthwhile option to explore. 

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Joe Milton III

Milton has already been traded once. The Cowboys acquired him and a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick from the Patriots. The Rams would likely have to overpay, but all we are seeing out of Dallas' training camp is Milton showing off the rocket he has for an arm. He is 25, so he could be the perfect person to bring in to start some games while Stafford is hurt, while also being part of the eventual post-Stafford succession plan.