Rams Are Considering Internal OC Candidates But ‘Extensive’ Search is Expected

The Los Angeles Rams are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator. Former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur signed a five-year deal to serve as the Arizona Cardinal’s head coach on Sunday.

In end-of-season press conference with reporters on Monday, McVay explained how the Rams plan to move forward without LaFleur. McVay said there are internal candidates the Rams are considering promoting to offensive coordinator but the franchise will complete an extensive search to fill the vacancy.

“I did think that this was something that could occur, so we’ve got great candidates in-house,” McVay said in the press conference, per the team’s official website. “Based on the rules and I think what is the appropriate thing, are you going to do an extensive search to really just dive into what’s going to be the best way to bring in new people that help us continue to build and grow towards where we want to go?”

McVay was the offensive play-caller for the Rams, despite LaFleur holding the offensive coordinator role. But LaFleur’s coaching also helped the Rams offense finish the season first in points per game, yards per game, total yards per play, passing yards per game and first downs per game.

Nate Scheelhaase Is Most Likely Internal Candidate to Become OC

Scheelhaase is considered one of the top internal candidates for the offensive coordinator opening. He was the Rams’ pass game coordinator this season. In his first season with Los Angeles last year, he served as an offensive assistant and pass game specialist.

The 35-year-old interviewed for two head coaching jobs with the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns this offseason. He also completed interviews for offensive coordinator openings with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason.

Neither team ended up hiring Scheelhaase as offensive coordinator last offseason, and then the Rams promoted him to pass game coordinator. This time around, neither team hired Scheelhaase as head coach, so it is possible the Rams consider giving him another promotion in just his third season with the team.

If the Rams do not promote Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, that leaves him up for grabs by other teams looking for an offensive coordinator. LaFleur may want to poach Scheelhaase from the Rams and bring him to Arizona next season.

Scheelhaase is certainly a top candidate to become the Rams offensive coordinator. But Los Angeles will still conduct an “extensive search” before deciding who to hire.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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