Tag: Sean McVay

Rams Sean McVay calls Nick Sirianni the most disrespected coach in NFL

Rams Sean McVay calls Nick Sirianni the most disrespected coach in the league for a guy who is making his second Super Bowl appearance.

Nick Sirianni is among the winningest head coaches to start an NFL career. However, a loaded team and a highly criticized opening press conference have constantly caused pundits to ridicule the Eagles head coach.

Finishing up year four as an NFL head coach, Sirianni has been to two Super Bowls and is one win away from being one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.

During the Super Bowl pregame show on Fox, Rams head coach Sean McVay called Sirianni the most “disrespected coach in the league.”

According to Elias Sports, Nick Sirianni is the third NFL head coach to advance to multiple Super Bowls in their first four career years, joining Joe Gibbs (1982, ‘83) and Mike Tomlin (2008, ‘10) in that category. Sirianni is the first Super Bowl Era head coach to make the playoffs in each of their first four career seasons while reaching the Super Bowl multiple times (also Super Bowl LVII). He is also the only Eagles head coach to advance to two Super Bowls and is the second to appear in multiple NFL championship games (Greasy Neale from 1947-49).

Overall, Sirianni is the fifth Super Bowl Era head coach to earn postseason berths in each of their first four career years at the helm, joining John Harbaugh (2008-11 Ravens), Bill Cowher (1992-95 Steelers), John Robinson (1983-86 Rams) and Chuck Knox (1973-76 Rams). Sirianni is the 12th NFL head coach to lead their teams to a 17+ win season (including playoffs), joining Bill Belichick (four), Mike Ditka, Joe Gibbs, Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Andy Reid, Ron Rivera, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, Don Shula and Bill Walsh. He is one of seven head coaches to win 14+ regular-season games multiple times.

According to Elias Sports, Sirianni (.706, 48-20) owns the 3rd-highest regular-season winning percentage by a head coach in the Super Bowl Era (min. 50 games), trailing only John Madden (.759, 1969-78) and
George Allen (.712, 1966-77). Overall, it is the 6th-highest mark in NFL history, behind Guy Chamberlin (.784, 1922-27), Madden, Vince Lombardi (.738, 1959-67, ‘69), Ray Flaherty (.720, 1936-42), and Allen.

Sirianni won the 2nd-most regular-season games with an NFL head coach in their first four career years, behind George Seifert (52-12, .813). He also joins Seifert (three) as the only NFL head coach to win 14+ regular-season games twice in their first four career years.

Which Rams received votes for awards at NFL Honors?

Jared Verse won Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors, but he wasn’t the only member of the Rams to receive votes for awards

Jared Verse was the big winner for the Los Angeles Rams at the NFL Honors show on Thursday night, taking home Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was the only player or coach to win an award this year, a well-deserved honor for the standout rookie from Florida State.

However, he wasn’t the only member of the Rams to receive votes for various awards. Sean McVay was in the hunt for Coach of the Year, Braden Fiske made a run at Defensive Rookie of the Year and Kyren Williams even got more votes for Offensive Player of the Year than Patrick Mahomes.

Here are the final voting results for each member of the Rams.

Coach of the Year

Sean McVay (9th)

1 third-place vote
1 fourth-place vote
4 fifth-place votes

McVay finished ninth in Coach of the Year voting, an award that was won by former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, now with the Vikings. McVay did a phenomenal job coaching this year with such a young and injury-ravaged team, but it wasn’t enough to win him the award for the second time.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse (1st)

37 first-place votes
10 second-place votes
2 third-place votes
1 fifth-place vote

Verse took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, winning the award and becoming the first Rams player to do so since Aaron Donald in 2014. He was dominant as a rookie, leading all first-year players in pressures.

Braden Fiske (3rd)

1 first-place vote
5 second-place votes
11 third-place votes
11 fourth-place votes
6 fifth-place votes

Fiske made a run at Defensive Rookie of the Year but finished third behind Verse and Quinyon Mitchell. He ended the year with 8.5 sacks to lead all NFL rookies this season.

Offensive Player of the Year

Kyren Williams (T-11)

2 fifth-place votes

Saquon Barkley ran away with Offensive Player of the Year, but Williams actually got two fifth-place votes, finishing tied for 11th in the race. He scored 16 rushing touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 1,299 yards, which earned him more votes for this award than Patrick Mahomes (1).

Around the NFC West: Rams lose TE coach Nick Caley

Around the NFC West: Rams lose TE coach Nick Caley

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay possesses one of the most successful coaching trees in the league. Good news arrived for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week when another McVay assistant chose to depart for a promotion elsewhere. Tight end coach and passing game coordinator Nick Caley has been hired as the Houston Texans’ new offensive coordinator.

Caley joined the Rams in 2023 as tight ends coach and was promoted to double duty as passing game coordinator in 2024. Prior to coaching alongside McVay, he spent eight years as an assistant with the New England Patriots. Caley also coached under Bill Belichick, adding further intrigue to his coaching roots.

Caley isn’t the first Rams assistant to depart this offseason. Game management coordinator John Streicher joined Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots as vice president of football operations and strategy, leaving McVay to reunite with Vrabel after spending time together with the Tennessee Titans.

The Rams captured the NFC West division title in 2024 and upset the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round. The Seahawks split the season series and tied the Rams on regular-season wins with 10, but lost the tiebreaker. Any offseason coaching changes that weaken McVay’s organization represents good news for the Seahawks.

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Rams Wire Exclusive: Josh Wallace talks rookie season, lessons learned and more

Rams CB Josh Wallace joins Rams Wire for an exclusive interview about his rookie season and differences between Sean McVay and Jim Harbaugh

Los Angeles Rams rookie cornerback Josh Wallace was among the team’s biggest surprises in 2024. An undrafted free agent who made the 53-man roster, Wallace contributed both on defense and special teams. He appears to be a building blocker for Sean McVay moving forward.

Wallace recently spoke exclusively with Rams Wire. Wallace discussed his rookie season, making the roster, being coached by McVay and Jim Harbaugh, winning a National Championship, and so much more.

Justin Melo: It was a whirlwind of a rookie season. You signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent and made the 53-man roster right out of training camp. What will you best remember about that period?

Josh Wallace: Mostly the relationships I built along the way. Of course that training camp period was my first time meeting the veterans, and also the rookies that came in with me in our class. The relationships I built throughout that brief period of time, that’s what I’m going to remember the most.

JM: What’s the biggest lesson you learned throughout your rookie season?

Josh Wallace: I really learned the importance of taking care of your body throughout an NFL season. Your best ability is availability. That was definitely the biggest lesson I learned this past season.

JM: You didn’t just make the roster. You immediately contributed.  You played a ton of defensive snaps throughout the season, starting right away in Week 2. What do you think it was about your mindset that allowed you to play right away?

Josh Wallace: I stayed ready for my opportunity. That’s all it really was. You can’t always control what happens in this league, what happens in front of you. When your opportunity comes, no matter how hard you’re playing, you have to be prepared for the moment.

I feel like I did a great job staying prepared this season. I started a handful of games as a rookie. Being ready when your number gets called, that’s what it comes down to in this league. That’s what it’s about at the end of the day.

JM: It wasn’t the first time you handled a step up in competition with ease. You went from UMass to Michigan in 2023 and won a National Championship. Being on that stage, is that when you felt like there was no doubt you could play at the NFL level?

Josh Wallace: I mean, I’ve always had that confidence in myself, even when I was at UMass. I’m sure there were a lot of people that didn’t believe in me until I did it at Michigan, but I always believed in myself. I believed I would make it to the NFL one day even when I was a freshman at UMass. I made it happen for myself.

JM: You’ve been blessed in recent years, being coached by Jim Harbaugh and Sean McVay.  How are they similar, and how are they different?

Josh Wallace: They’re both player coaches at the end of the day. Us as players, you want to play for both McVay and Harbaugh. They’re great people off the field. They have great relationships with their players, and with their families. They care about their family, and that’s important to me as well, because family is everything. That made me want to play for them. That’s why I love playing for them.

I would actually say they’re not too different from each other, besides the age gap (laughs). That’s the biggest difference.

JM: No doubt (laughs). You also contributed a bunch on special teams this season. Did you have to acclimate and adjust to that role? It certainly helped you make the roster, and be active all year long.

Josh Wallace: Coming in as an undrafted guy, I knew playing special teams gave me my best shot to make the team. I heard that from a few of my older friends around the league, guys who came in under similar circumstances.

I did what I had to do to make the team. Whenever my opportunity came, I was ready to make splash plays, even on special teams. 

JM: We’ve appreciated your time today. What are your goals for this offseason as you prepare for your sophomore season?

Josh Wallace: My goal is to continue building on the rookie season I had in 2024. I want to develop and earn a bigger role on the team. I’m spending the offseason with my family. I’m going to continue taking great care of my family. I’m working on self-improvement. That’s all I can do.

I’m going to keep controlling what I can control.

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Buccaneers request to interview 34-year-old Rams assistant for OC job after losing Liam Coen

The Bucs are eyeing Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase for their OC position following Liam Coen’s departure

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are searching for their next offensive coordinator following the unexpected departure of Liam Coen, and they’re combing through the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff for candidates.

One name to watch? Nate Scheelhaase, a 34-year-old offensive assistant who just finished his first year with the Rams. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Buccaneers have requested to interview Scheelhaase for their offensive coordinator vacancy. This is the first interview request Scheelhaase has received so far this offseason, but he’s a promising young coach so it’s hardly surprising to see him drawing interest.

In addition to being an offensive assistant, Scheelhaase also holds the title of pass game specialist with the Rams.

Scheelhaase joined Sean McVay’s staff last season after six years at Iowa State, including one season as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2023. Prior to that, he coached both the running backs and wide receivers at Iowa State.

Prior to getting into coaching, Scheelhaase played four seasons as the quarterback at Illinois from 2010-2013, throwing for 8,568 yards and 55 touchdowns. He holds the school record for total yards (10,634).

Rams will discuss extending Kyren Williams before 2025 season

Kyren Williams will be a free agent in 2026, but the Rams are open to extending him before next season begins

Kyren Williams has become an integral part of the Los Angeles Rams’ offense in the last two seasons, playing the majority of the snaps in the games that he’s been healthy for. He went from barely playing as a rookie in 2022 due to multiple injuries to carrying it 544 times in the last two seasons with 31 total touchdowns.

The 2025 campaign is shaping up to be a big one for Williams with his contract expiring after next season, but there’s a possibility he’ll be extended before the year even begins. In speaking with reporters on Thursday, Sean McVay said the Rams will discuss a potential contract extension for Williams this offseason.

“I think that’s something that definitely would be of a discussion,” he said. “Like you mentioned, when you look at it and you have an evaluation of your roster and it starts with those free agents or those guys that based on their contract status, what does that look like for you moving forward? You sit down and you say, ‘Alright, let’s put this puzzle together.’ It is an imperfect thing, but we try our best to make the best decisions for the football team. I’m really proud of the body of work that Kyren has put together, what he represents, and all the different things that we really want to be about as a football team. He’s checking a lot of those boxes. I think that’s certainly something that will be discussed as well.”

Thanks to his Pro Bowl selection in 2023, Williams has already earned a raise in 2025 through the Proven Performance Escalator – a system that rewards players drafted outside the first round for either playing significant snaps or making the Pro Bowl.

As a result, Williams’ base salary will be north of $5 million, matching whatever the amount is for the second-round RFA tender. For comparison, his salary ranged from $705,000 to $985,000 in each of his first three seasons.

So his projected cap number of $5.3 million is already slated to be among the 20 highest at his position. An extension would certainly bump that up, paying him more than he’s set to make in 2025.

It’s a matter of how much higher the Rams will (or are willing to) go. He could get something in the range of Chuba Hubbard’s deal, which is for $8.3 million per year. He could even approach David Montgomery at $9.125 million per year. But after Joe Mixon ($9.875 million), there’s a big gap to the next running back, Josh Jacobs ($12 million).

It won’t be easy for the Rams to find the right value for Williams with how unstable the running back market is, but if they believe he’ll remain their starter in 2025, signing him sooner rather than later could save them money.

If they don’t believe he’s the RB1 again, letting him play out his contract is probably the way to go.

Former Rams OC Liam Coen lands head coaching job after bizarre turn of events

Liam Coen went from landing a big extension with the Buccaneers to becoming the Jaguars’ next head coach in a span of days

Liam Coen was one of the top head coaching candidates on the market this year after an impressive year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. The Jaguars showed strong interest in Coen during their search for a head coach, setting up an interview with him on Wednesday.

He turned down that opportunity and was set to sign a lucrative three-year deal with the Bucs to make him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, but he never put pen to paper.

That’s when the Jaguars pulled the “break glass in case of emergency” card and fired GM Trent Baalke, making one last push to hire Coen as their head coach. Fast-forward to Thursday and they’ve landed their guy.

According to reports, Coen is expected to be hired as the Jaguars’ next head coach. It was a bizarre turn of events, particularly considering the Buccaneers were unable to reach Coen on Thursday after he left to take the interview with the Jaguars.

Furthermore, his contract with the Buccaneers was reportedly contingent on him not taking a second interview with Jacksonville – but he never signed it, so he never breached the contract.

Coen had two different stints with the Rams. He was the assistant wide receivers coach from 2018-2019 before being promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020. He then left for Kentucky in 2021, returned to the Rams as Sean McVay’s offensive coordinator in 2022, went back to Kentucky in 2023 and then landed with the Buccaneers in 2024.

So, yeah, he’s made a few stops in the last five years.

 

Sean McVay unsure of Matthew Stafford’s future but wants clarity ‘sooner than later’

Sean McVay can’t say with certainty that Matthew Stafford will be back with the Rams in 2025 but hopes for clarity soon

As promising as the future is for the Los Angeles Rams, there are some major questions still to be answered. First and foremost, they must figure out who their quarterback will be next season.

Matthew Stafford has two years left on his contract but he’ll be 37 in a few weeks and there isn’t much guaranteed money remaining on his deal in 2025 or 2026, which opens the door for the team and quarterback to go their separate ways. Stafford feels he still has good football left in him and Sean McVay loves having No. 9 under center, but there will need to be a resolution at some point.

McVay hopes that comes “sooner than later.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, McVay said he’d like to have clarity on Stafford’s future soon, saying that he doesn’t want another contract dispute to take place like it did last summer.

“We don’t want to have that go on again,” McVay said, via the Associated Press. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity, understanding, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well, and I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”

Stafford is owed a $4 million roster bonus on the third day of the new league year, so one would expect something to be worked out before then. The Rams won’t want to pay that out and then trade Stafford, leaving them on the hook for that bonus.

Unlike last year when McVay said Stafford is “100%, absolutely” the Rams’ quarterback for 2024, he wasn’t nearly as committed this time around when asked about Stafford’s future.

“We’ll talk about all those things at the appropriate time,” he said. “I know he’s playing really good football. Obviously I love working with him. What he’s meant to our football team has been immeasurable in a positive way.”

The problem for the Rams is they don’t have a succession plan in place. Jimmy Garoppolo is a pending free agent and not a long-term option, Stetson Bennett has been nothing more than a No. 3 quarterback and Los Angeles doesn’t pick until No. 26 overall this year – far too low to grab one of the top passers in the class.

The best-case scenario for both parties seems to be Stafford returning for at least another season, but that will likely require a new contract and a commitment from the Rams to a 37-year-old quarterback.

Sean McVay confirms key assistant is leaving Rams to join Patriots coaching staff

John Streicher is leaving the Rams after one season as Sean McVay’s game management assistant

Sean McVay is a brilliant coach but he saw room for improvement in the game management department last year. He hired John Streicher to be his game management assistant, helping with things like timeout usage and challenges, but the man they call “Stretch” won’t be returning for a second season.

Sean McVay confirmed to reporters on Thursday that Streicher is leaving the Rams after just one season. He’s headed to New England, joining the Patriots’ staff under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Streicher previously spent time with the Titans when Vrabel was the head coach there, so it’s hardly surprising to see them reuniting in New England.

The move was previously reported by Mike Reiss of ESPN and is now confirmed by McVay himself. Streicher’s departure apparently broke McVay’s heart, which shows how important he was in 2024.

It’s unclear if McVay will try to find someone to fill Streicher’s position for the 2025 season but given his improvements in timeout usage and overall game management, it would serve the Rams well to have someone in that role once again.

Look: Sean McVay was courtside at the Celtics-Clippers game

Sean McVay was sitting courtside for the Celtics-Clippers game on Wednesday night

With the Los Angeles Rams out of the playoffs, Sean McVay is taking some much-deserved time to unwind and enjoy the offseason. There’s still plenty of work to be done in terms of building the Rams’ roster and preparing for the draft, but it’s not as if he’s game planning for Los Angeles’ next opponent like he normally would be during the week.

On Wednesday night, he was sitting courtside at the Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Clippers game. To his right was Reggie Scott, the Rams’ VP of sports medicine and performance.

They caught a good game at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, though the Celtics pulled out the win in overtime, 117-113.

He got a big cheer when they showed him on the big screen at the game, too.