Los Angeles Rams' coordinators Nathan Scheelhaase and Chris Shula missed out on being the top coordinator duo in the NFL in a recent ranking.
As is the case in most off-seasons, many coordinators around the NFL interviewed for head coaching vacancies, with some landing head coach jobs and others returning to their coordinator position. This cycle included Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula, both getting interviews.
However, neither landed a head coaching opportunity, which will have them both return to the Rams for 2026.
With Scheelhaase and Shula returning for the Rams next season, this could be one of the top coordinator duos in the NFL.
A recent ranking of the top coordinator duos in the league placed the duo of Scheelhaase and Shula as the No. 2 coordinator pairing in the NFL. The duo ahead of the Rams' coordinators was the Denver Broncos pair, including offensive coordinator Davis Webb and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
For Scheelhaase, this will be his first season as the offensive coordinator for Los Angeles, but his success as the pass game coordinator in 2025 should bode well for the Rams' offensive attack. He also has the benefit of an offensive mind like Sean McVay's in the building to help make adjustments when needed and craft solid game plans throughout the season.
With quarterback Matthew Stafford returning after an MVP season, in addition to having weapons like running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, as well as wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, this is an offense that has the potential to be even more explosive than it was in 2025.
On the defensive side of the ball, Shula has an opportunity to help this group take a significant step forward from last season, with the Rams adding superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett and two very good cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
In 2025, Shula's defense was solid as the Rams allowed 110.8 rushing yards per game, which was good enough to rank 12th in the NFL. However, the Rams at times struggled to limit opposing pass attacks, which was evidenced in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Seattle Seahawks, as the Rams allowed 346 passing yards to Sam Darnold and were not able to generate enough stops to advance.
The additions of Garrett, McDuffie, and Watson should help the Rams to generate more pressure and have tighter coverage, which should help them to become a much better pass defense and could put them in a position to emerge as one of the NFL's top overall defensive units.
The continuity that the Rams have across the roster and on the coaching staff is something that not every team possesses, and could be a factor that gives them an advantage in the postseason when chemistry and trust become crucial in trying to advance to the Super Bowl.
While Scheelhaase is entering his first season as an NFL offensive coordinator, Stafford's 4,707 passing yards (No. 1 in the NFL) and 46 passing touchdowns (No. 1 in the NFL) demonstrate that he has the ability to create an explosive offense and put the Rams' best playmakers in great positions to succeed.
Shula also showed promise in 2025 as his unit allowed 20.4 points per game which ranked 10th in the NFL despite the struggles the Rams had at times in the back end. With Shula now having players like Garrett, McDuffie, and Watson, the Rams could emerge as a top 10 defense against the run and against the pass.
This coordinator duo of Scheelhaase and Shula is something that could put the Rams over the top as Super Bowl contenders and if all goes right, both Scheelhaase and Shula could be head coaches this time next year.
