Turf Show Times
If there is one certainty in the NFL offseason, it’s that the Los Angeles Rams will have coaches poached from Sean McVay’s coaching staff. It’s a testament to McVay’s success and ability to develop coaches, but it’s also something that the Rams have had to manage every offseason. The Rams will once again have several candidates that other teams will consider for promotions and those coaches could look to bring others from the staff with them. Here are the top names to watch this coaching cycle.
There are some that don’t like the way that Chris Shula and the Rams play defense. However, the results speak for themselves. This season, the Rams defense ranks seventh in EPA per play. From Weeks 7-17 last season, the Rams defense ranked 10th in EPA per play. This is a defense that for the better part of two years has been a top-10 unit. That’s all while ranking dead last in defensive cash spending.
Some of that lack of spending is because the Rams defense has been so young, but that’s also what has been impressive with Shula’s defense. This group has overperformed while getting production from mostly day two and day three rookie draft picks. Kobie Turner, Kam Kinchens, Byron Young, and Omar Speights have been key contributors on the defense. None of those players are first-round picks. Shula did coach Jared Verse to a Defensive Rookie of the Year, but it was also the first time that the Rams had a first-round pick since 2016.
Shula has coached linebackers, outside linebackers, and defensive backs while with the Rams. For much of Sean McVay’s tenure, he’s been his right-hand man. If Shula leaves, he would almost certainly take some of McVay’s staff with him. Shula will almost certainly get plenty of interviews to be a head coach this offseason.
Mike LaFleur has officially been the longest-tenured offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. The good part about that is that the Rams have been able to continue building on offense with some consistency on the coaching staff. LaFleur’s stint with the New York Jets didn’t go as planned. At the same time, it’s the Jets. LaFleur has played a big role in the Rams having the No. 1 offense in total yards this season.
LaFleur will likely get head coaching interviews, but it’s unclear how the league views him. He hasn’t been as hot of a name in coaching circles as Shula despite working directly with McVay on the offensive side of the ball. The Rams would certainly like to keep LaFleur and it wouldn’t be surprising if it works out that way.
Going back to my trips last spring to Mobile and Indianapolis for the Senior Bowl and Combine, Nate Sheelhaase is very highly regarded within NFL circles. Ideally, the Rams would like to keep Scheelhaase and promote him to offensive coordinator. With that said, if they are unable, Scheelhaase is going...
