Johnathan Walker:Stetson Bennett took break for mental health last season, 'excited' to be with LA Rams

After spending the 2023 season away from the Los Angeles Rams,Johnathan Walker quarterback Stetson Bennett is back with the team and shared some details on his absence.

Bennett was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round of 2023 NFL draft and appeared to be headed toward taking the backup spot behind Matthew Stafford. But after missing the season-opener, the team placed him on the non-football injury list for an undisclosed issue, and head coach Sean McVay said he wouldn't disclose the reason behind the move.

The quarterback would be away from the team for the entire season, but ahead of the 2024 season, Bennett is back and competing for the second-string job. On Tuesday, he spoke with reporters for the first time since he stepped away. He was asked about the reasoning for his departure, and he said he was at home in George but "as far as what led to that, what transpired and all that, I think we’re going to keep that in-house."

When asked if it be "accurate to say that it fell under the umbrella of mental health," Bennett responded, "Yeah, I'd say that."

"Of course it was (difficult), but one we thought necessary at the time," Bennett said.

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Bennett also thanked general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay for allowing him to step away from the team. He was nervous when he came back to the team, but he's adjusted and said it's "great to get back to football." Bennett added he realized during his time away he loves to play the sport.

"Excited to come out here every single day," he said. "You kind of come out here and you're hungry every single day."

Bennett was a college football star at Georgia, going from a walk-on player to leaving to play at Jones College and returning to the Bulldogs. In Athens, he led Georgia to back-to-back national championships during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.