The Los Angeles Rams could be without both their OC and DC, as Mike LaFleur and Chris Shula continue to get interview requests, and Sean McVay spoke openly about his feelings regarding their opportunities.
Credit is due to the leadership that Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has exhibited, as two of his most important staff members could be headed for bigger opportunities.
Offensive coordinator Chris Shula and defensive coordinator Mike LaFleur have started to get interview requests for open head coach vacancies. Both could be hired, or could remain on the Rams by the time the 2026 season rolls around.
Shula has received a reported six interview requests for the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders. Pretty much all of the teams need a new head coach, minus the Baltimore Ravens and the newly opened Pittsburgh Steelers.
LaFleur has received interview requests from the Cardinals and Raiders thus far.
McVay has guided Shula from the 2017 season to now, and the defensive-minded coach is now potentially set to land his first head coaching opportunity. LaFleur has been with the Rams since 2023, but has had several jobs with other NFL teams.
When speaking to the media, McVay indicated that their interview requests would not be a distraction, and heaped praise on them as well.
"I'm not at all concerned. I think these guys do a great job, I think they understand, I think the way its set up and situated, and at this portion of the interview process, it's more get to know each other. You're not diving into the depths like the latter parts of these interview processes can entail. It's a tremendous credit to those guys, they are well-deserving, and as I said, we got a bunch of capable, great leaders on our coaching staff ... I'm happy for them, and I am not at all concerned about it being a distraction," McVay said.
McVay has a great point in that Shula and LaFleur are very deserving of the chance to lead a team. Again, this is just a credit to McVay and the way that he has taught and guided his coaches.
The Rams continue to be relevant and a winner, and what McVay has learned has been imparted onto his staff, which they can then take to potentially their next opportunity.
Los Angeles would certainly be at a loss if both Shula and LaFleur were to get other opportunities, but like the multitude of capable potential next head coaches, those coaches might also be looking for coordinator positions when all is said and done.