Two days before their divisional round playoff game against the Chicago Bears, Rams coaches are extremely busy interviewing for other jobs. Meanwhile the Bears coaches having nothing to distract them.
Nobody is trying to poach from Ben Johnson’s staff this year.
Compare that to Chris Shula, Nathan Sheelhaase, and Mike LaFleur. They have a combined nine interviews on Friday alone, according to SI’s Albert Breer.
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News predicted that all three will be leaving the Rams in one offseason: Sheelhaase to the Browns, Shula to the Titans, and LaFleur to the Raiders.
Are all three properly focused on the Bears this week?
Chris Shula, defensive coordinator:
- Dolphins HC
- Titans HC (requested)
- Steelers HC
- Ravens HC
Breer reports that Pittsburgh, Miami, and Baltimore will all interview Shula on Friday. Tennessee was notably absent from the list despite a request. Shula’s interview with the Dolphins is interesting for a number of reasons, one of them is too obvious for anyone who knows a tiny bit of football history, but also this:
Dolphins requested Rams assistant GM John McKay for their open GM job.
This could lead to an L.A. pairing in Miami next season.
Nate Sheelhaase, pass game coordinator:
- Browns HC
- Raiders HC
- Steelers HC
- Ravens HC
The most popular coaching candidates is not even a main coordinator. Nate Scheelhaase has four interviews, indicating that he might actually be more valuable to McVay’s staff than LaFleur. The success of Liam Coen in his first season with the Jaguars, in addition to the previous success of coaches like Zac Taylor and Kevin O’Connell, seems to be leading to a very hot market for the 35-year-old Sheelhaase.
The Rams did a feature on his role with the team last year:
It may not seem like as big of a deal to lose a pass game coordinator, but what if Sheelhaase has a bigger part in Matthew Stafford’s “MVP” season than outsiders truly understand?
Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator:
- Cardinals HC
- Raiders HC
Scheelhaase is twice as popular as L.A.’s actual offensive coordinator. LaFleur is the only one of the three coaches to be interviewing with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Raiders are interviewing LaFleur and Shula.
The Ravens are interviewing Shula and Scheelhaase.
The Steelers are interviewing Shula and Scheelhaase.
The Dolphins are interviewing Shula and McKay.
How will this trickle down the staff?
Nobody’s saying that this will destroy the Rams or anything, okay? The Rams have survived losing coaches almost every year under Sean McVay. This just happens to be the largest potential exodus so far.
But let’s say that Scheelhaase goes to the Browns. How many coaches might he try to take with him? Aubrey Pleasant as defensive coordinator, etc.?
And let’s say that Shula goes to the Raiders. Will he get someone like Dave Ragone to come with him as offensive coordinator?
And if LaFleur goes to the Ravens. Will he take someone like Giff Smith as defensive coordinator?
Maybe these aren’t huge losses, but when you lose three coaches in a single offseason then you have to start making promotions and hires. What if the guys you wanted to promote also leave? Keeping in mind that if the Rams reach the Super Bowl that many of the best potential replacements could have already taken other jobs by February.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out for the L.A. Rams. They are definitely going to lose some coaches this year, again. The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, are also able to solely focus on the L.A. Rams this week.
