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.
1. Chris Shula
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.
2. Mike LaFleur
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.
3. Nate Scheelhaase
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 to get opportunities elsewhere. Last offseason, he interviewed for offensive coordinator positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers just fired Josh Grizzard and could look at Sheelhaase once again. If Shula or LaFleur get head coaching jobs, they could look to bring Scheelhaase with them. If there is one coach that leaves the Rams this offseason, Scheelhaase is the one to watch.
4. Aubrey Pleasant
If the Rams lose Chris Shula, Aubrey Pleasant may be someone that they look to replace him. Pleasant has done a good job with the secondary, getting the most out of players like Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes. He’s one of the coaches that McVay brought with him to the Rams in 2017, and after leaving to coach the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Pleasant returned in 2023.
It seems as if Pleasant’s time as a defensive coordinator is coming. If Shula or LaFleur leave, Pleasant may be high on their lists to bring with them to coach the defensive side of the ball. Like Sheelhaase, ideally the Rams would like to promote Pleasant if they can. However, after two years as a position coach and someone well-respected in the NFL, he could look to be a coordinator elsewhere.
5. Dave Ragone
An under-the-radar name here is Dave Ragone. If the Rams lose LaFleur and they follow their usual promotion tactics, they would look to promote Ragone as the offensive coordinator. He’s been the quarterback coach the last two years and has previous offensive coordinator experience. With that said, that previous offensive coordinator experience could lead to an opportunity elsewhere.
Ragone was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons under Arthur Smith from 2021-2023. A team like the Washington Commanders or Buccaneers could look at Ragone. He also has connections with Matt Nagy who could get a head coaching job this cycle. It may be somewhat of a longshot, but Ragone is certainly someone to watch.
HM: Zak Kromer
The Rams offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL this season, especially when it comes to what they do in the run game. Kromer has helped develop players like Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon and coached Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson to high levels. If LaFleur gets a head coach job or teams try to replicate what the Rams have done in the trenches, they could look to make Kromer an offensive line coach.
