The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to seeing their top assistants climb the coaching ladder and land head coaching gigs elsewhere. That’s just life when you’re part of a well-run, consistently competitive organization. And once again, this offseason brought the possibility of more departures from Sean McVay’s staff - specifically offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
For a moment, it looked like both could be on the move. LaFleur had been linked heavily to the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy - a job that would keep him in the NFC West and pit him directly against his former team twice a year. Meanwhile, Scheelhaase, one of the fastest-rising young coaches in the league at just 35 years old, was reportedly a strong contender for the Cleveland Browns’ top job.
But in a twist that benefits the Rams, only one of those dominoes fell - and not the one many expected. The Browns opted to go in a different direction, hiring former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their next head coach. That decision sends a ripple effect back to Los Angeles, where Scheelhaase will now return for at least one more season.
Nate Scheelhaase: A Rising Star Who’s Sticking Around (For Now)
Scheelhaase’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Just three seasons ago, he was calling plays at Iowa State.
Fast forward to 2024, and he made the leap to the NFL. By 2025, he was already promoted to Rams passing game coordinator - a role that’s become something of a launchpad in McVay’s system.
He’s never called plays at the NFL level, and he hasn’t held a coordinator title - yet. But in McVay’s world, that hasn’t stopped assistants from becoming head coaches. Just ask Zac Taylor, who followed a strikingly similar path before landing in Cincinnati and leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance.
Scheelhaase may not have the résumé of a traditional coordinator, but he’s earned trust inside the building, and his stock around the league is clearly on the rise. Should LaFleur end up taking the Arizona job, the Rams have a built-in replacement ready to step up. Even with McVay continuing to call plays, having the offensive coordinator title could be the final piece Scheelhaase needs to become a serious head coaching candidate in the near future.
Continuity on Both Sides of the Ball
It’s not just Scheelhaase sticking around, either. The Rams are also likely to retain defensive coordinator Chris Shula after the Pittsburgh Steelers made the surprising decision to hire Mike McCarthy. That’s a major win for a team that just wrapped up a strong 2025 campaign and now looks poised to keep much of its core coaching staff intact.
In a league where coaching turnover is the norm, especially for successful franchises, the Rams may have pulled off a rare feat: retaining both their offensive and defensive architects for another run. That kind of continuity matters, especially for a team still building around a young core and looking to stay competitive in a loaded NFC.
What’s Next?
Let’s be clear - Scheelhaase isn’t going to be a hidden gem for much longer. His name is already circulating in coaching circles, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot. But for now, the Rams get another season of his input, development, and energy - all within a system that knows how to maximize young coaching talent.
Whether or not LaFleur departs for Arizona, the Rams have positioned themselves well. If he stays, they retain a proven offensive mind. If he leaves, they’ve got a successor who’s already in the building and ready to take the next step.
Either way, Los Angeles enters the offseason with a rare advantage: stability. And in today’s NFL, that’s a luxury few teams can afford.