It’s been a busy day for football in Los Angeles.
A few hours after the Chargers officially declared their move to the City of Angels, the Rams followed that up Thursday by announcing Sean McVay as their new coach. McVay signed a five-year contract with the team, a source informed told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
The 30-year-old former Redskins offensive coordinator turns 31 on January 24, making him the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. He takes over the youthful title from Lane Kiffin, who was hired by the Raiders in 2007. Another fun fact: The Rams actually have one player on their roster older than McVay, defensive end and noted dinosaur non-believer William Hayes.
McVay first joined the Redskins in 2010 as an assistant tight ends coach, and his meteoric rise with the franchise concluded with a three-year stint as offensive coordinator. In his debut season in 2014 as Washington’s OC, the offense moved up from the 25th-ranked unit in terms of yards per game to 10th. The offense finished No. 3 in YPG this past season.
The Rams, on the other hand, finished at the bottom in several offensive categories this past season, including yards per game (262.7) and points per game (14.0)
Arguably his most impressive accomplishment in the nation’s capital is turning fourth-round quarterback Kirk Cousins into possibly one of the highest-paid players in the NFL this upcoming offseason.
McVay’s biggest assignment in Los Angeles will be continuing his magic with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. Goff’s rookie campaign was an unmitigated disaster, and NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal ranked the signal caller dead last in his final QB Index of the season.
The Rams fired Jeff Fisher in the middle of the 2016 season after a 4-9 start, and under interim coach John Fassel, the team lost its final three games. Even worse, the Rams’ would-be No. 5 pick is in the hands of the Tennessee Titans due to the draft-day trade for Goff.
Rapoport reported Thursday that long-time coach Wade Phillips is someone to keep an eye for the Rams’ opening at defensive coordinator. If the Rams can pair their bright young offensive mind at head coach with a legendary defensive mind, it will give their fan base a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.
Source: NFL