Rams Coaching Staff Holding Steady (For Now), and That’s a Win for L.A.
If you’re a Rams fan, you’ve seen this movie before: the team finishes strong, the coaching staff turns heads, and suddenly half the NFL wants to poach your coordinators. It’s become something of an offseason tradition in Los Angeles. But for now, at least, the Rams are dodging the annual coaching carousel chaos - and that’s worth a quiet celebration.
Let’s break down where things stand as NFL teams scramble to fill head coaching vacancies. So far, the Rams’ top assistants remain in-house, and while that could change in a hurry, the early signs are promising for fans hoping to see continuity on Sean McVay’s staff in 2026.
Chris Shula: Once Red-Hot, Now Cooling - and That’s Good News for the Rams
Chris Shula’s name was buzzing early in the 2025 cycle. As the Rams’ defensive coordinator, he was drawing legitimate head coaching interest.
But after a season where the defense took a step back, some teams are hitting pause on his candidacy. That’s not ideal for Shula’s head coaching ambitions, but from the Rams' perspective, it’s a big win.
Keeping the same voice leading the defense could be huge for a unit that showed flashes but needs stability to take the next step.
Here’s how things are shaping up across the league:
- Arizona Cardinals: Still conducting interviews, no final decisions yet.
- Baltimore Ravens: Reportedly focused on getting Kevin Stefanski back for a second interview.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Panthers DC Ejiro Evero is emerging as a serious candidate.
- Miami Dolphins: Leaning toward Packers DC Jeff Hafley.
- New York Giants: They’ve already locked in John Harbaugh as their next head coach.
- Tennessee Titans: Down to Stefanski, Matt Nagy, and Hafley.
Shula’s name hasn’t been front and center in any of those updates, which bodes well for L.A.’s chances of keeping their defensive brain trust intact.
Mike LaFleur: Quietly Crucial, Quietly Staying Put
It’s a little surprising that Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur hasn’t generated more buzz. His work this past season - particularly with a young, evolving offense - has been quietly excellent. But despite his brother Matt LaFleur’s high-profile extension talks in Green Bay, Mike’s name hasn’t surfaced in the latest round of interviews.
That might be a head-scratcher to some, but it’s a gift for the Rams. LaFleur has been instrumental in shaping the offense’s identity, and his return would give L.A. a strong foundation heading into next season.
- Arizona Cardinals: No movement involving LaFleur.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Also not showing interest in the Rams OC - at least not publicly.
Nate Scheelhaase: Rising Star, Comp Pick Bonus
Now here’s where things get interesting. Offensive pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is starting to draw attention - and for good reason.
He’s been a key part of the Rams’ offensive evolution and is viewed as a future head coach in the making. If he does get hired away, the Rams would receive two third-round compensatory picks (one in each of the next two drafts), thanks to the NFL’s minority hiring incentive program.
That’s a valuable silver lining if he ends up leaving - but so far, no team has pulled the trigger.
- Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers: All are in the interview phase, but no confirmed interest in Scheelhaase for a head coaching role just yet.
The Coaching Carousel Is Moving - But the Rams Are Staying Seated (So Far)
With the New York Giants already hiring John Harbaugh, the first domino has fallen. And more are likely to follow soon.
Some teams are willing to wait for candidates from playoff teams; others want to get started on building their staff and roster ASAP. That urgency could accelerate the hiring process league-wide.
For now, though, the Rams are in a rare position: their coaching staff is still intact deep into the hiring cycle. That could change overnight - this is the NFL, after all - but it’s okay for fans to enjoy the current calm.
Continuity matters. It’s not just about keeping familiar faces in the building - it’s about building on the progress the Rams made this season without having to start over with new voices in key roles. And with the team still in playoff mode, that stability could be the edge they need.
So yes, Rams fans, go ahead and exhale. The coaching carousel is spinning, but for now, L.A.’s staff hasn’t been pulled into the vortex. That’s a win - even if it’s a quiet one.
Stay tuned.