The Rams defensive coordinator has interest from teams about open head coaching positions, but will LA miss him?
Raheem Morris has been with the Los Angeles Rams since the 2021 season, winning a Super Bowl his first year with the team, however his “bend don’t break” defense has been somewhat of a thorn in some fans side since his arrival. Morris had some big shoes to fill when he took over the position, as the Rams were coming off one of their best defensive seasons under Brandon Staley, ranked number one in the league for total defense, and allowing the least amount of yards and touchdowns to opposing teams in 2020.
While Morris’ defenses have never been top tier since taking over as the DC in Los Angeles, they also haven’t been that bad either. This is why it makes total sense that fans are evenly split when it comes to their feelings about Morris and his potential departure for an open head coaching position.
So one may be asking “Why is he even getting head coaching interviews if his defenses haven’t been that stellar?” Well, what Morris brings is something special outside of stats, and it’s why he is getting requests from the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders for their head coaching jobs. His outstanding ability to teach and connect with his players, and the way he has been able get guys to “buy in” to his systems is almost unmatched in the NFL.
On top of that, the job that Morris has done with a Rams defense relatively devoid of big name players, outside of Aaron Donald, has been phenomenal. While LA is only ranked 20th in total defense, it’s made up of almost all rookies and second-year guys. The development of players like Ernest Jones, Kobie Turner, Quentin Lake and Byron Young has been quick and impactful, making up for the loss of veteran superstars like Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey during the offseason.
While some wish that Los Angeles had a more aggressive defense, the Rams have proven they can have success with Morris at DC. I am in the camp that the grass may not always greener, so I personally I wouldn’t mind of Morris stuck around. If anything, I think it would be beneficial to keep some consistency going for a very young defense next season.
Heading into their wild card game on Sunday, Rams fans still seem to have some faith in Morris, as our survey shows the fan base still has 97% confidence in the direction of the team.
Morris will need to have his defense at their best, as the Lions boast a high-powered offense led by former Rams QB Jared Goff. Luckily for Los Angeles, the strength of their defense is the interior pressure put on by Donald and Turner, something that Goff has struggled with in the past. If LA’s defense can put on a show, it may be just what their coordinator needs to help him claim one of the open head coaching positions available.
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