Nate Scheelhaase is sticking in Los Angeles. After drawing strong interest for the Jaguars offensive coordinator job, the pass game specialist is staying with the Rams, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that Scheelhaase is expected to see an expanded role during his second season with the team.
[RELATED: Nate Scheelhaase Favorite For Jaguars’ OC Job]
Scheelhaase has already seen a rapid rise through the NFL ranks. Following a long stint at Iowa State that culminated in him being named OC, he joined the Rams last offseason as their new pass game specialist. Despite injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams passing offense still finished 2024 ranked in the top 10, and the 34-year-old started drawing some interest for promotions.
The offensive-minded coach was an option in Tampa Bay, and he was later recruited by former Rams assistant Liam Coen in Jacksonville. The last we heard, he was the favorite for that Jaguars job, where he would have been tasked with guiding the Trevor Lawrence-led offense. Now, Coen will have to pivot to his other candidates, a grouping that only consists of Commanders QBs coach Tavita Pritchard and Vikings assistant QBs coach Grant Udinski.
This news must also come as a relief to Sean McVay, who already lost one key member of his offensive staff when TEs coach Nick Caley was hired to lead the Texans offense. QBs coach Dave Ragone was also a candidate for the Buccaneers OC job, but the Rams can rest easy knowing only one member of their staff was poached this offseason.
Going to be hard to find someone that wants a fake OC job. Might have to pluck a guy from college looking to be in NFL. Coen is calling plays and doing all of offense planning, so the OC in name only. It also for a 1st time HC who had limited experience as an OC calling plays himself.