Kliff Kingsbury Joins Rams Staff: What His Arrival Could Mean for LA’s High-Octane Offense
The NFL has a funny way of bringing things full circle. Just weeks after the Los Angeles Rams lost offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to the Arizona Cardinals-who named him their new head coach-Sean McVay made a bold counter move.
His newest addition? None other than former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
At this point, the Rams haven’t defined Kingsbury’s role. But make no mistake: this isn’t just a name hire. It’s a strategic move that could reshape the future of LA’s offense.
Kingsbury’s Resume: Peaks, Valleys, and Plenty of Innovation
Kingsbury’s NFL journey has been anything but linear. He arrived in Arizona with a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, pairing up with No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray in what was meant to be a marriage of scheme and skillset.
For a while, it worked. The Cardinals steadily improved, peaking with an 11-6 record in 2021.
But the wheels came off in 2022, as Arizona stumbled to a 4-13 finish and Kingsbury was shown the door.
Fast forward to 2024, and Kingsbury found himself in Washington, helping the Commanders’ offense surge to a top-10 finish. That success didn’t stick, though-by 2025, the unit had dropped to 22nd in the league, and Kingsbury was once again on the move.
Now, he lands in Los Angeles, joining a Rams team that led the NFL in total offense last season. So why bring in a coach known for revitalizing struggling offenses when yours is already thriving?
Because Kingsbury brings something different-and potentially game-changing.
A New Layer to McVay’s Playbook
Let’s be clear: Sean McVay is still steering the ship. But Kingsbury adds a wrinkle to an already potent Rams offense. He’s built his reputation on crafting schemes around mobile quarterbacks-Kyler Murray in Arizona, Jayden Daniels in Washington-and his offenses have often thrived when he’s had the right personnel.
Which brings us to an intriguing question: what does this mean for the Rams’ quarterback room?
Matthew Stafford is returning for 2026, and he’s still a high-level pocket passer. But he’s not the type of quarterback Kingsbury typically builds around.
That contrast might be exactly the point. With the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon and a class loaded with mobile QB prospects-many draft boards list as many as eight dual-threat quarterbacks among the top ten-it’s fair to wonder if LA is preparing for a shift.
The Rams have long been masters at adapting their offense to fit their personnel. But now, with Kingsbury in the building, they’ve added a coach who excels at doing just the opposite: building personnel around a specific offensive vision. If McVay is looking to evolve, Kingsbury offers the blueprint.
What This Could Mean for the Rams’ Future
Even if Stafford remains the starter for all of 2026, Kingsbury’s influence could be felt in more subtle ways-pre-snap motion, tempo changes, RPO looks, or expanded red zone packages. But if LA does dip into the draft for a mobile QB, Kingsbury’s presence becomes even more vital.
This hire doesn’t just give McVay another sharp offensive mind-it gives the Rams flexibility. If the team decides to transition to a more mobile quarterback in the near future, they already have a coach on staff who’s done it-and done it well.
And let’s not forget: the Rams aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading.
After missing out on Super Bowl LX, this is a team still in its competitive window. Adding a coach like Kingsbury isn’t just about keeping pace-it’s about staying ahead of the curve.
Bottom Line
Kliff Kingsbury may not have a defined title yet, but his arrival in Los Angeles is anything but insignificant. Whether the Rams are laying the groundwork for a quarterback of the future or simply expanding their offensive toolkit, this move signals ambition. The kind of ambition that says: we’re not satisfied with being good-we want to be great.
And if Kingsbury can help unlock another level for this offense, the Rams might just be knocking on the door of Super Bowl LXI.