SUNDAY, August 14: Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter links) adds a little more to this report, basically confirming that Kroenke is largely concerned with front office stability during this otherwise tumultuous time in franchise history. Cole says that there will be no “major changes” to the team’s brass until the Rams are ready to move into their new Inglewood stadium in 2019. That way, if Snead and Fisher continue to disappoint, the club can recharge its fanbase with a new stadium and a new staff.
SATURDAY, August 13: The Rams are expected to reach extensions with both general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher before the season begins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Deals with both decision-makers can be categorized as “likely,” Schefter adds.
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On the surface, news of extension talks are a bit surprising given the Rams’ lack of success under Fisher and Snead. In his four years at the helm of the Rams, Fisher’s teams have compiled a 27-36-1 record and have never gone .500 or better during an individual campaign. The Rams finished 7-9 last season during their St. Louis swan song, which was the third time they’ve won seven games under Fisher. However, after moving halfway across the country, owner Stan Kroenke apparently wants to ensure some stability going forward.
There’s no word yet on possible length or financial compensation for Fisher or Snead. Fisher is currently among the NFL’s highest-paid coaches at $7MM annually and almost certainly tops the league when it comes to dollars-per-win.
Prior to joining the Rams, Fisher experienced success atop the Titans organization, going 142-120 in 17 years and helping lead the club to six playoff appearances and a Super Bowl XXXIV berth to conclude the 1999-2000 season. Of course, Tennessee lost that game to Fisher’s present-day employer, the Rams.
Snead, meanwhile, got his start as a pro scout for the upstart Jaguars in 1995. In 1997, he took the same position with the Falcons while also serving as their director of pro/player personnel. Prior to the 2012 season, the Rams hired Snead after parting ways with Billy Devaney.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
extending Jeff Fisher, seriously
I know, it’s a head scratcher.