Rams Fill Offensive Coordinator Vacancy As Scheelhaase Earns Promotion

By Evan Copeland

The Los Angeles Rams have appointed a new offensive coordinator, 20 days after the departure of Mike LaFleur, with former Pass Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase stepping up to the role for the 2026 season.

The organisation has prioritised stability, with one of the leading minds behind last season’s number one ranked offense taking a deserved promotion. Head Coach Sean McVay will continue as the team’s primary play caller, as he has since his appointment in 2017, but Scheelhaase will serve as a dependable right-hand in 2026.

The loss of former OC Mike LaFleur to the Arizona Cardinals extended the influence of the ‘McVay tree’ around the NFL, with LaFleur joining his brother Matt as one of seven of McVay’s former coordinators to hold head coaching positions in the league.

While in his previous role, Scheelhaase oversaw an MVP campaign for quarterback Matthew Stafford, as he led the league in total passing yards and passing touchdown across 2025. The team also held the highest number of passing yards per-game, a statistic that further illustrates the influence Scheelhaase had in the organisation.

It is important to recognise the value of stability in an NFL coaching staff, particularly in the coordinator positions. By remaining within-house for their hire, the Rams have avoided any issues that a new scheme could generate.

You only have to look at last year’s Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles as an example of how a coordinator hire can cripple a season. The loss of Kellen Moore to the New Orleans Saints, followed by the subsequent hire of Kevin Patullo, saw a phenomenal offensive unit rendered to a shadow of its former self this season. The Eagles ranked as the 24th overall offense in 2025, a substantial drop off from the heights of their Lombardi win.

Over 20 teams across the league, including the Rams, have made a change at Offensive Coordinator over the 2026 offseason. Hiring from within the organisation could prove vital for the franchise, particularly as NFC rivals such as the Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions have followed the opposite approach.

As I mentioned before, it is important to recognise that McVay still holds overall control of the offense, providing continuity in that regard. One of the league’s best offensive minds, alongside General Manager Les Snead, his contract extension at the beginning of February sees him locked down for the foreseeable future. The organisation has the ultimate faith in him going forward, past the Stafford era in LA.

To ensure an efficient transition, the franchise have appointed QB coach Dave Ragone as co-offensive coordinator, serving alongside Scheelhaase. Two key figures behind the Rams success in 2025, the duo will look to take the offensive side of the ball to new heights next season, with huge talent at their disposal.

In appointing Scheelhaase, McVay and Snead have shown trust in their own, making wily moves to ensure the team hits or exceeds the expectations set last season. While McVay holds the play-calling power, the staff around him has been set-up perfectly for a Lombardi run at SoFi stadium next February.

EVAN COPELAND

NFL ANALYST

Evan is a Los Angeles Rams fan and sports journalism student at Lincoln University, with a keen interest in NFL writing, alongside golf and football. You can keep up with all of his content on X at @EvanCopeland26.

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