McVay hoping to get ‘clarity’ on Bennett’s status

LOS ANGELES — The Rams were confident that they found star quarterback Matthew Stafford’s backup — and possible successor — when they selected Stetson Bennett in the fourth round of last year’s NFL draft,

It did not play out as planned. Bennett, who led Georgia to two consecutive national titles, was placed on the nonfootball injury/illness list for an undisclosed issue after the preseason and has not been a part of the team since.

Brett Rypien was released at midseason after proving not to be the answer as Stafford’s backup, and Carson Wentz is a pending unrestricted free agent.

That leaves Stafford, 36, as the only quarterback on the roster.

Whether Bennett will return to the Rams remains an open question.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that the Rams would “connect” with Bennett “at the appropriate time” to determine his status.

“And you figure out, ‘All right, where are you at? And is this something we feel like is best for him and our football team to bring him back into this ecosystem?” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters.

“Those will be conversations that we will have. And then I think once we have a better idea of what we’ll do with that, then that will give clarity.”

The Rams began remaking their roster Wednesday when they released veteran center Brian Allen. Coleman Shelton, who displaced the oft-injured Allen as the starter, could void the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

“We would really like to get him back,” McVay said of Shelton, adding, “We’re proactively trying to be able to get that taken care of.”

Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom’s contract is another situation the Rams might address.