Sean McVay has built one of the NFL’s most impressive coaching résumés, transforming the Los Angeles Rams into perennial contenders while earning a Super Bowl championship and a reputation as one of football’s brightest offensive minds. Yet even the league’s best coaches are far from perfect. Across nearly a decade on the sidelines, McVay has made decisions that sparked criticism, invited second-guessing, and, in some cases, altered the trajectory of a season. Those moments don’t erase his accomplishments,
but they do highlight the difficult balance every head coach faces between trusting instincts and making the right call under immense pressure. From personnel decisions to game management and long-term roster building, here are the five biggest mistakes of McVay’s coaching career and why each continues to be debated by Rams fans and NFL analysts alike.
1. Clock Usage in first half of 2026 NFC Championship Game
Up 13-10 with 1:33 left in the 2nd Quarter, the Rams got the ball back after forcing a three & out. With the ball on their own 28, scoring points before the half seemed like a little bit of a stretch. But entering halftime with the lead on the road was completely feasible. Instead, Sean McVay’s three plays calls were run-pass-pass, only burning 39 seconds of clock and not forcing the Seahawks to use any of their timeouts. The Seahawks got the ball back; drove 74 yards on 6 plays and scored a touchdown in 34 seconds…
Why it belongs: It was one of the major differences in the game aside from the fumbled punt. The Rams lost 31-27. It was simply avoidable had the Rams forced the Seahawks to call timeouts. Had the Rams protected the ball, they would have been playing in Super LX and likely dominated the Patriots.
2. Super Bowl LIII
The Rams offense in 2018 was the #2 scoring offense but it encounter resistance when Vic Fangio and the Chicago Bears used quarters coverage and a 6 man front to styme the Rams outside zone scheme. Sean McVay and the Rams were able to still navigate their way through the rest of the regular season and the playoffs but never figured out how to counter. Bill Belichick perfected Vic Fangio’s scheme and it resulted in the New England Patriots winning Super Bowl LIII 13-3; leaving Sean McVay befuddled and admitting he was “outcoached”.
Why it belongs: The Rams failed to capture their second Lombardi trophy and exact revenge on the Patriots from the 2001 Super Bowl.
3. Signing Jared Goff to a $134 Million Extension
After the Super Bowl run, McVay and the Rams committed franchise-quarterback money to Goff before he had fully proven he could elevate the offense independently.
Within two seasons, McVay had lost confidence in Goff, the offense declined significantly, and Los Angeles had to attach multiple first-round picks just to upgrade to Matthew Stafford.
Why it belongs: While the Stafford trade ultimately won the Rams a Super Bowl, the Goff extension itself is often viewed as an expensive mistake and resulted in two average seasons. The Rams #1 defense in 2020 was held back by Goff’s lackluster QB play.
4. March 2022 Spending Spree
Fresh off of winning Super Bowl LVI, the Rams wanted to “Run it Back” with their Super Bowl team. After losing out on the Von Miller sweepstakes to the Buffalo Bills, the Rams were determined to spend. Rather than being calculated, the Rams wanted to push their chips forward yet again. They signed Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner while re-signing Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen. The Rams spent $154 million on the four combined players with $62.75 million guaranteed money.
Why it belongs: None of the four signings were on the roster by the start of 2024. Jalen Ramsey was dealt after the 2023 season as a cost cutting move.
5. 4th & 1 play call against 49ers in Week 5 2025
McVay has made countless aggressive fourth-down decisions throughout his career, and most have been well-reasoned. However, his overtime play call against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 of the 2025 season backfired in spectacular fashion.
Facing fourth-and-1 at the San Francisco 11-yard line, McVay elected to go for the game-winning touchdown rather than kick the tying field goal. The decision itself was debatable, but the actual play call drew widespread criticism. Instead of using motion, misdirection, or one of the creative concepts that define his offense, the Rams ran a straightforward inside run into a stacked defensive front.
I personally was okay with going for it on 4th & 1 against but it was the decision to put the ball in Kyren Williams’s hands rather than Matthew Stafford that drew immense criticism.
Why it belongs: The Rams dropped to 3-2 and it was yet another reason the Rams failed to the win the NFC West over the Seahawks when it was all said and done.
What do you think is Sean McVay’s worst decision as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Rams?
