Rams could lose up to 4 coaches next offseason

Chris Shula could be the Dolphins next head coach..

Each offseason, the Los Angeles Rams experience coaching turnover. This is in large part due to the Sean McVay effect. Ever since 2017 teams across the National Football League have desperately sought to find the “next Sean McVay” to lead their football team. McVay’s prowess led to a surge in NFL teams hiring offense-minded coaches, often times going to the Rams to find brilliant minds. Since 2017, LA has lost: Shane Waldron (offensive coordinator), Greg Olson (offensive coordinator), Wes Phillips (offensive coordinator), Thomas Brown (offensive coordinator), Zac Robinson (offensive coordinator), Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, and Kevin O’Connell to opposing teams. That’s just the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the Rams have seen Joe Barry (defensive coordinator), Ejiro Evero (defensive coordinator), Brandon Staley, and Raheem Morris depart for opportunities elsewhere as well.

Sean McVay has long supported coaches taking opportunities when they present themselves. He was the beneficiary of such moves himself when he was a young, budding coach in Washington and Tampa Bay. He credits those around him for giving him the chance to prepare himself to become a head coach.

Heading into the 2025 season, there are four names that I believe organizations will be keeping an eye on and likely interviewing come January 2026.

Mike LaFleur

Role: Offensive Coordinator

Years with Rams: 3

NFL Years Coaching: 11

Mike LaFleur joined McVay’s staff before the 2023 season after two seasons with the New York Jets. LaFleur might be overlooked by most because the New York Jets floundering in 2021 and 2022, however his resume is gaining a resurgence in Los Angeles…

In his first season [2023] in Los Angeles, the Rams had a top-ranked offense. The unit finished the season seventh in yards per game (359.3) and yards per play (5.6), 11th in rushing yards per game (120.3), 12th in yards per rush (4.3), 10th in passing yards per game (239.0), and eighth in first downs per game (20.6), third down conversion rate (42%), and points scored per game (23.76). The offense also finished fourth in fourth down conversion rate (61.9%) and red zone efficiency (63.6%). The Rams had the best yards per game ranking since 2019.

Before working with the Rams and Jets, LaFleur worked under Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-2020 / passing game coordinator), Atlanta Falcons (2015-2016 / wide receivers & tight ends), and Cleveland Browns (2014 / offensive coaching intern).

If the Rams offense can land in the top 5 or even top 10 this season, LaFleur could be poached by the offensive-needy organization.

Chances of being hired: 60%

Nate Scheelhaase

Role: Pass Game Coordinator

Years with Rams: 2

NFL Years Coaching: 2

Scheelhaase is young and upcoming coach in the NFL. McVay hired him off of the Iowa State Cyclones staff. Scheelhaase has spent time as an offensive coordinator; working with quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. He is responsible for cutting up and packaging the Rams formations and play calls into a database based on the Rams upcoming opponent. Heading into 2025, Sean McVay has mentioned that Scheelhaase will work closely with the wide receivers to further influence the offensive game plan.

With Scheelhaase already gaining interest from other organizations this past offseason, its only a matter of time before a team offers him a role that he cannot refuse.

Chances of being hired: 90%

Chris Shula

Role: Defensive Coordinator

Years with Rams: 9

NFL Years Coaching: 11

Chris Shula has been with Sean McVay ever since the head coach was hired in 2017. Shula has assumed a number of different roles during his time with the team; serving as: assistant linebackers coach, outside linebackers coach, linebackers coach, pass game coordinator & defensive backs coach, pass rush coordinator & linebackers coach, and now finally the defensive coordinator role. Shula is the first coach to be internally promoted to the DC role while Sean McVay has led the organization. Wade Phillips, Brandon Staley, and Raheem Morris all came from other organizations.

Shula’s hiring came with some trepidation in the early half of 2024 as the defense looked like one of the worst in the league. However, the defense became on the most feared units in the second half of the season. And in the first two games of the playoffs, Shula’s unit posted 16 sacks against the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. Shula became highly praised amongst the media for his ability to turn around such a young defense especially in the first year without future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.

If the Rams have another successful season, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Shula could be snagged by a team looking to rebuild an organization by emphasizing the defense first. The Miami Dolphins have long been rumored as a potential fit because of Shula’s grandfather, Don Shula. Mike McDaniel’s stock with the organization seems to be waning and another disappointing year could mark his end.

Chances of being hired: 75%

Aubrey Pleasant

Role: Assistant Head Coach, Pass Game Coordinator & Defensive Backs Coach

Years with Rams: 7

NFL Years Coaching: 12

Last but not least, Aubrey Pleasant is a fourth coach that could be plucked away from Sean McVay. Aubrey is highly regarded in the Rams organization, so much so that McVay tabbed him with the Assistant Head Coach role before the 2024 season. Pleasant also received the honor of being the interim head coach for the second preseason game in 2024. Outside of Jalen Ramsey, Aubrey Pleasant has often turned low value cornerbacks into serviceable starters. During Pleasant’s time with LA, the team has yet to draft a cornerback before the 4th round, a praise to Pleasant’s ability to get the most out of late rounders and undrafted players.

Pleasant has also held personnel roles with the Green Bay Packers (2022), Detroit Lions (2021-2022), and Washington Commanders (2013-2016).

Chances of being hired: 50%