Rams Zero In on Cornerback Overhaul as Coaching Carousel Spins
The Los Angeles Rams are heading into an offseason with a crystal-clear focus: fixing the cornerback position. It’s been the most inconsistent piece of an otherwise ascending defense, and now the franchise is putting its foot on the gas to change that - both in personnel and coaching.
At the same time, one of the key figures tied to that position group, assistant head coach and passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, is drawing serious interest around the league. The Las Vegas Raiders have requested to interview Pleasant for their defensive coordinator opening under new head coach Klint Kubiak, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
That interest comes at a moment when the Rams are actively trying to stabilize the very unit Pleasant has helped guide - and the moves they’re making suggest this isn’t just a patch job. It’s a full-scale reset.
A Secondary in Need of Structure
Last season, the Rams’ defensive front showed real juice - they could get after the quarterback and disrupt plays up front. But on the back end?
That’s where things fell apart. Tackling was inconsistent, coverage leverage got sloppy, and the week-to-week reliability just wasn’t there.
So what’s the response? The Rams are going all-in on a multi-layered strategy to rebuild their secondary from the ground up:
- Reinforce coaching expertise in the defensive backfield
- Develop young corners with a long-term plan
- Blend NFL experience with modern college coverage concepts
- Create real competition at a position that lacked a lockdown presence
This isn’t just about plugging holes. It’s about evolving the defense - and cornerback is now the next frontier.
Michael Hunter Brings a Developmental Edge
One of the first major moves in that direction: hiring Michael Hunter as defensive backs coach. Hunter comes to L.A. fresh off a national championship run with Ohio State, and his background is all about player development - exactly what the Rams need if they’re aiming to build a younger, faster, more adaptable secondary.
At Ohio State, Hunter helped mold technically sound defensive backs who thrived in hybrid man-zone schemes - the kind that translate directly to the modern NFL, where offenses are spreading the field and testing DBs every snap.
His arrival gives the Rams a few key advantages:
- Accelerate the learning curve for draft picks
- Modernize coverage schemes to counter spread attacks
- Build depth organically instead of relying on one aging vet
In short, Hunter isn’t just a position coach - he’s a developmental architect. And his hire signals that the Rams are serious about building from within.
Aubrey Pleasant’s Future Looms Large
Pleasant’s name surfacing in the defensive coordinator carousel isn’t surprising - he’s long been considered one of the best teachers in the league when it comes to cornerback play. His roots with the Rams run deep, and his résumé includes stops with the Browns, Commanders, and even Michigan at the college level.
Whether he stays or leaves, his impact on the Rams’ secondary is undeniable - and the team is clearly planning around both possibilities:
- If he departs: Hunter becomes the central figure in a room undergoing transition.
- If he stays: Pleasant could be in line for expanded responsibilities and a bigger schematic role.
Either way, the Rams are treating this position group with the kind of urgency that suggests it’s no longer just a weakness - it’s a priority.
Jimmy Lake Adds Another Layer
The Rams are also leaning on another familiar face: Jimmy Lake. After a stint as defensive coordinator in Atlanta, Lake is back in L.A. and brings with him a reputation for creating disciplined, takeaway-driven defenses.
His presence - alongside Pleasant (if retained) and Hunter - gives the Rams a three-headed coaching brain trust focused on solving the same issue. That kind of alignment matters. It means the Rams aren’t just reacting to last year’s problems - they’re building a structure to prevent them from happening again.
From Patchwork to Pipeline
Let’s be honest: the Rams’ recent approach to cornerback has been more about plugging gaps than building continuity. They’ve leaned on short-term vets, rotated players based on matchups, and hoped for the best. That’s not a sustainable model - and the team knows it.
This offseason signals a philosophical shift. The Rams are now aiming to:
- Develop corners internally instead of cycling through stopgaps
- Install adaptable coverage schemes that support young defenders
- Align coaching hires specifically around secondary growth
- Prepare for an influx of youth via the draft or targeted signings
The goal isn’t to find one superstar corner. It’s to build a system that consistently produces reliable starters - and gives the defense a true identity on the back end.
Why It All Matters
Fixing the cornerback room isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s central to the Rams’ competitive window. They’ve got young talent up front, a coaching staff with vision, and a defense that’s one piece away from becoming a complete unit.
And that’s what makes Pleasant’s situation all the more important. The fact that he’s drawing interest around the league only underscores how valuable his expertise has become - and how much the Rams stand to gain (or potentially lose) depending on what happens next.
If Los Angeles nails this offseason - if they get the coaching mix right and inject the right developmental juice into the secondary - the story won’t be about who left. It’ll be about how the Rams finally turned their weakest link into a foundational strength.