If there’s one certainty within the NFL offseason, it’s that the Los Angeles Rams can have coaches poached from Sean McVay’s teaching workers. It’s a testomony to McVay’s success and skill to develop coaches, nevertheless it’s additionally one thing that the Rams have needed to handle each offseason. The Rams will as soon as once more have a number of candidates that different groups will think about for promotions and people coaches could look to deliver others from the workers with them. Here are the highest names to look at this teaching cycle.
1. Chris Shula
There are some that don’t like the way in which that Chris Shula and the Rams play protection. However, the outcomes converse for themselves. This season, the Rams protection ranks seventh in EPA per play. From Weeks 7-17 final season, the Rams protection ranked tenth in EPA per play. This is a protection that for the higher a part of two years has been a top-10 unit. That’s all whereas rating lifeless final in defensive money spending.
Advertisement
Some of that lack of spending is as a result of the Rams protection has been so younger, however that’s additionally what has been spectacular with Shula’s protection. This group has overperformed whereas getting manufacturing from largely day two and day three rookie draft picks. Kobie Turner, Kam Kinchens, Byron Young, and Omar Speights have been key contributors on the protection. None of these gamers are first-round picks. Shula did coach Jared Verse to a Defensive Rookie of the Year, nevertheless it was additionally the primary time that the Rams had a first-round decide since 2016.
Shula has coached linebackers, exterior linebackers, and defensive backs whereas with the Rams. For a lot of Sean McVay’s tenure, he’s been his right-hand man. If Shula leaves, he would nearly actually take a few of McVay’s workers with him. Shula will nearly actually get loads of interviews to be a head coach this offseason.
2. Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur has formally been the longest-tenured offensive coordinator underneath Sean McVay. The good half about that’s that the Rams have been capable of proceed constructing on offense with some consistency on the teaching workers. LaFleur’s stint with the New York Jets didn’t go as deliberate. At the identical time, it’s the Jets. LaFleur has performed a giant function within the Rams having the No. 1 offense in complete yards this season.
Advertisement
LaFleur will possible get head teaching interviews, nevertheless it’s unclear how the league views him. He hasn’t been as sizzling of a reputation in teaching circles as Shula regardless of working straight with McVay on the offensive facet of the ball. The Rams would definitely prefer to maintain LaFleur and it wouldn’t be shocking if it really works out that approach.
3. Nate Scheelhaase
Going again to my journeys final spring to Mobile and Indianapolis for the Senior Bowl and Combine, Nate Sheelhaase may be very extremely regarded inside NFL circles. Ideally, the Rams wish to maintain Scheelhaase and promote him to offensive coordinator. With that stated, if they’re unable, Scheelhaase goes to get alternatives elsewhere. Last offseason, he interviewed for offensive coordinator positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers simply fired Josh Grizzard and could have a look at Sheelhaase as soon as once more. If Shula or LaFleur get head teaching jobs, they could look to deliver Scheelhaase with them. If there’s one coach that leaves the Rams this offseason, Scheelhaase is the one to look at.
Advertisement
4. Aubrey Pleasant
If the Rams lose Chris Shula, Aubrey Pleasant could also be somebody that they appear to switch him. Pleasant has completed a superb job with the secondary, getting essentially the most out of gamers like Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes. He’s one of many coaches that McVay introduced with him to the Rams in 2017, and after leaving to teach the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Pleasant returned in 2023.
It appears as if Pleasant’s time as a defensive coordinator is coming. If Shula or LaFleur depart, Pleasant could also be excessive on their lists to deliver with them to teach the defensive facet of the ball. Like Sheelhaase, ideally the Rams wish to promote Pleasant if they will. However, after two years as a place coach and somebody well-respected within the NFL, he could look to be a coordinator elsewhere.
5. Dave Ragone
An under-the-radar identify right here is Dave Ragone. If the Rams lose LaFleur they usually comply with their standard promotion ways, they’d look to advertise Ragone because the offensive coordinator. He’s been the quarterback coach the final two years and has earlier offensive coordinator expertise. With that stated, that earlier offensive coordinator expertise could result in a possibility elsewhere.
Advertisement
Ragone was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons underneath Arthur Smith from 2021-2023. A group just like the Washington Commanders or Buccaneers could have a look at Ragone. He additionally has connections with Matt Nagy who could get a head teaching job this cycle. It could also be considerably of a longshot, however Ragone is actually somebody to look at.
HM: Zak Kromer
The Rams offensive line has been the most effective within the NFL this season, particularly in the case of what they do within the run recreation. Kromer has helped develop gamers like Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon and coached Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson to excessive ranges. If LaFleur will get a head coach job or groups attempt to replicate what the Rams have completed within the trenches, they could look to make Kromer an offensive line coach.