Sean McVay

NFC Notes: Carr, Horn, Kupp, Cowboys, Okereke

March 8th, 2025 at 11:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

Derek Carr‘s contract will be restructured for the second straight offseason, ensuring he remains with the Saints for at least one more year. The veteran quarterback’s future had been in question until the news of his pact being reworked.

General Mickey Loomis said keeping Carr in place was the team’s plan, so it comes as no surprise he will play a third season in New Orleans. The four-time Pro Bowler apparently would have welcomed a change of scenery, though. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Carr was believed to be willing to head elsewhere this offseason by joining a QB-needy team. The Saints, however, never showed a desire to move forward with a trade or release.

Carr made it clear before a final decision on his future was made that he would not welcome a pay cut. His $40MM in 2025 compensation will (to a large extent) now be paid out as a signing bonus, but it was already guaranteed under the pact’s previous setup. Trading or cutting their QB1 would therefore have not been feasible for the Saints, but it is still noteworthy Carr would have been on board with a fresh start after two years with the team.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

Extension talks are ongoing between the Panthers and Jaycee Horn. When healthy, the former No. 8 pick has proven to be an effective cornerback but injuries in 2021 and ’23 threaten to hurt his leverage. In spite of his missed time, Joe Person of The Athletic writes Horn is believed to be seeking a deal near the top of the position’s market (subscription required). Five corners are attached to an AAV of $20.1MM or more, and Jalen Ramsey leads the way at $24.1MM per year. That figure could very well be overtaken once Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Derek Stingley (Texans) have extensions in place, but Horn, 25, may not slot in very far behind them.
Cooper Kupp is known to be on the trade market, with the Rams making clear their intention of moving on from the eight-year veteran. The team is prepared to retain salary to swing a deal, and general manager Les Snead hopes to have one in place by next week (when the 31-year-old’s roster bonus is due). In his first interview since learning of the team’s choice to move on, Kupp said (via Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times) head coach Sean McVay informed him of the move during a face-to-face meting in his office. McVay has left the door (slightly) open to a return with his recent comments, but Kupp has moved forward knowing he will be playing elsewhere in 2025.
Brandin Cooks is one of many veteran receivers set to hit the market next week. The 31-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Cowboys, and in an interview with The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson he said he is open to re-signing. Cooks – who missed seven games in 2024 – added he is fully healthy, and Anderson writes there could be interest from multiple teams. While a return to Dallas is firmly in play, Cooks said he feels he has not been utilized correctly during his time there so far. The 11-year veteran played out a two-year, $20MM deal with the Cowboys.
Bobby Okereke‘s second season with the Giants was limited to 12 games due to a herniated disc in his back. The veteran linebacker is expected to be healthy in time for OTAs, but he could find himself on a new team by then. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News writes there have been rumblings this offseason about the Giants not viewing Okereke’s value in the same light as they did previously. A 2023 free agent signing for general manager Joe Schoen, the former Colt delivered 149 tackles and a pair of interceptions in his debut New York season. His production dropped this past campaign, though, and with two years left on his pact a trade or release could be under consideration. Moving on immediately would not yield notable savings, but a post-June 1 release would free up $9MM later in the offseason. Okereke, 28, is due a $3MM roster bonus March 17.
With regard to other Cowboys updates, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News notes veteran defensive ends Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston could be on the way out. DeMarcus Lawrence hopes to re-sign, but he is also open to exploring his market. The Cowboys currently have Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland on their rookie deals and a pending mega-extension to work out with leading edge rusher Micah Parsons. Inexpensive depth will increasingly be a priority if any or all of Lawrence, Lawson and Golston sign elsewhere. Watkins adds that punter Bryan Anger and long snapper Trent Sieg are among the players Dallas aims to re-sign, something which has already been taken care of in the case of Osa Odighizuwa.

Matthew Stafford Notes: Timeline, McVay, Giants, Garoppolo

March 1st, 2025 at 10:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

The top storyline at the Combine saw a resolution come about on Friday. Matthew Stafford reached agreement on a new deal with the Rams, ending the chance of a trade being worked out which would have sent him to a new team for the second time in his career.

The Raiders and Giants made strong pushes to acquire the 37-year-old before a summit with Los Angeles yielded a new agreement. Once the restructured pact is in place, Stafford will be assured of playing at least the 2025 campaign, his fifth with the Rams. Financial terms are not yet known, and that will likely be the case for the time being.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the new Stafford pact will be finalized over the coming weeks. A framework is clearly in place, and with financial clarity the Rams have already worked out a new deal with left tackle Alaric Jackson. Still, Rapoport notes the exact details – including Stafford’s compensation for 2025 and the cap structure of the contract – will likely not emerge until the start of the new league year later this month.

Here are some other notes related to yesterday’s major QB news:

It was learned shortly before the agreement was reached that Stafford and head coach Sean McVay had remained in communication through this process. To little surprise, the chance to remain with the Super Bowl winner was a key factor in a resolution being found. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes Stafford’s preference was to stay in Los Angeles and extend his partnership with McVay. The team went to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2024, and expectations will be high moving forward with continuity on the sidelines and under center.
The Raiders were seen as the likelier suitor to acquire Stafford when a trade was on the table, and parameters on a contract were reported to be in place. The Giants made a strong pursuit as well, though, and SNY’s Connor Hughes notes New York was prepared to swing a trade and commit to a contract worth more than $50MM per year (video link). The 16-year veteran has been connected to an asking price which would make him the oldest member of the group at that financial threshold. Taking the Giants’ interest one step further, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post confirms the team was willing to commit to a two-year pact including between $90MM and $100MM guaranteed. GM Joe Schoen will now look elsewhere on the veteran market.
In the event a trade had been made, Aaron Rodgers would have been a name to watch regarding replacement options for the Rams. Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes the 41-year-old would indeed have received consideration, adding the same would have been true of Jimmy Garoppolo (subscription required). The latter is a pending free agent after he took a one-year deal in 2024 to handle backup duties. He could be retained as a high-end QB2 option for next year; failing that, the Rams could turn to Stetson Bennett, who has yet to make a regular season NFL appearance.

‘Several’ Teams Contact Rams On Matthew Stafford; QB Targeting Raise?

February 19th, 2025 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

A popular talking point ahead of free agency has centered around this year’s quarterback options — both in terms of veteran FAs and the rookie crop — not being overly impressive. If the Vikings use the franchise tag to keep Sam Darnold off the market, the top prize would be off the board. In that scenario, monitoring the Rams may become necessary. Teams are already closely watching this situation.

Matthew Stafford‘s name has come up as a potential trade candidate for a bit, and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports several teams have indeed called the Rams on the veteran passer. The Rams did shop Stafford when he was coming off a multi-injury 2022 but have since seen him reestablish form as a top-10 QB, helping the team to back-to-back playoff berths.

GM Les Snead did not exactly slam the door on Stafford being moved, but Schultz indicates Sean McVay and others inside the organization want the QB retained. The Rams need to identify a post-Stafford answer at some point, but with Aaron Donald retired and Cooper Kupp appearing set to be traded, this remains a Stafford-centered franchise. This creates some leverage for the talented quarterback, who remains tied to a team-friendly contract.

Stafford is indeed seeking a pay raise that would place him closer to the top 10 earners at the position, according to Schultz. This would be an interesting component for Los Angeles, which thus far has only been linked to another restructure. A Stafford push for better guarantees last year did not yield a major win for the QB, who saw the Rams move $5MM from future years into 2024 and had them insert a $4MM 2025 roster bonus as part of that agreement. Even at the time of signing the four-year, $160MM deal, Stafford left money on the table to help the Rams build around him. With the pillars from that point gone or leaving, the NFL’s current 15th-highest-paid player may be angling for a final payday.

When Stafford signed his Rams extension in April 2022, the $50MM-per-year club consisted of only Aaron Rodgers‘ complex Packers contract, one the team traded a year in. There are now nine $50MM-AAV passers, including a few who have not displayed Stafford-level form to date. QBR slotted Stafford sixth in 2023 and 12th in 2024, with both years featuring Kupp injuries; 2024 also brought an extended period without Kupp and Puka Nacua, which nearly submarined the Rams’ season. Stafford helped the team revive it, going from 1-4 to a narrow divisional-round loss to the eventual champion Eagles.

The Rams have not seen Stetson Bennett become a legitimate successor option, and backup Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent-to-be. This does not seem like the ideal draft for the Rams to address their post-Stafford future; then again, Stafford (when healthy) has proven talented enough he will keep the team away from the early draft slots that would bring franchise-level QBs. This represents an interesting offseason for the four-year Rams starter to strike, if indeed he is intent on securing a new deal. His current pact runs through 2026.

If the Rams do reverse course and give serious consideration to moving on now, Schultz adds a package that includes a first-round pick would be sought. The Rams needed to trade two first-round picks and a third to move Jared Goff‘s contract in the 2021 Stafford swap, and thanks in part to the 2024 restructure, trading Stafford before June 1 would bring a significant dead money charge ($45.33MM). That would check in behind only Russell Wilson and Rodgers’ upcoming Jets hit for largest in NFL history.

Having quickly reformed as a contender following a woeful Super Bowl title-defense season, the Rams would certainly be poised — McVay’s gifts notwithstanding — to take a step back if they traded Stafford. A deal in which another QB comes back would be interesting, and needy teams certainly exist here. Though, a team parting with a starter-caliber quarterback (and a first-round pick) to acquire a soon-to-be 37-year-old with a notable recent injury history would be a tougher scenario to envision. The Combine will provide a better gauge of what Stafford would bring back in a trade.

It is possible this is resolved with the contract adjustment Stafford seeks, though he has not shown an indication he would use a trade request as leverage in a negotiation. The Rams are projected to hold more than $44MM in cap space, which is a mid-pack number. A Kupp trade will bring back a few million more, as the Rams are prepared to take on some salary to facilitate a move. Kupp’s status aside, the lingering Stafford matter — particularly given this year’s available QBs — will be the most significant piece of the Rams’ offseason.

Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo Addresses Health, Free Agency

August 17th, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

After being benched in favor of Aidan O’Connell midway through the 2023 season, it was clear Jimmy Garoppolo would need to find a new team in free agency. The veteran passer wound up taking the Rams’ backup gig, a move he recently reflected on.

Garoppolo noted the presence of starter Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay as key factors in his decision to sign with Los Angeles during an interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). The 32-year-old took a one-year deal with a base value of $3.18MM to serve as Stafford’s No. 2 this season. He noted that other teams had interest in him, but a decision to join the Rams was made rather quickly with an agreement being reached on March 20.

“This place allows you to be yourself, too, which is different than other places I’ve been,” Garoppolo said about his new employer (while declining to go into further detail on his previous stops). “You’re getting pressed with a sense of urgency but in a good way… They do it in the right way here. They push you positively.”

The former second-rounder did fill the role of Tom Brady New England successor he was drafted to hold, but he made 55 starts across six seasons with the 49ers. Brock Purdy‘s emergence made Garoppolo expendable, though, and he signed with the Raiders last March. That move had him lined up for starting duties under Josh McDaniels, but Vegas’ decision to start over on the sidelines and in the front office (not to mention Garoppolo’s latest injury issues) left O’Connell atop the depth chart to close out the season.

Now, Garoppolo will spend at least one year attempting to remain healthy and in doing so provide the Rams with an experienced option if Stafford, 36, misses time. The latter had his contract restructured this summer, but the team views his future on a year-to-year basis. It is therefore uncertain who will be under center for Los Angeles in 2025, but in Garoppolo’s case a return to health ahead of the coming campaign carries signficant value on its own.

“It’s really nice having a healthy offseason,” he said. “I haven’t had one of those in awhile. The foot surgery was tough last year. For anyone who’s ever been through that, that wasn’t a fun recovery, but I feel like I’m back to myself. Being in this role, I get to experiment with some things, being with the 2s… I haven’t had that in a little while, so it feels nice to get back to that.”

Sean McVay To Remain With Rams Through 2024 Season

January 2nd, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sean McVay has been the subject of speculation in recent years with respect to his coaching future, but he provided another update in that regard on Tuesday. The seventh-year Rams head coach confirmed he will remain with the team for the 2024 season (video link).

The news comes as little surprise given the success McVay has enjoyed in general with the organization and in particular this campaign. In the midst of a financial reset, Los Angeles entered the 2023 season with limited expectations. McVay has instead guided the team to a postseason berth and a 9-7 record so far.

Interest in the 37-year-old from TV networks has been present over several years, but McVay put those concerns to rest on at least a temporary basis when committing to the Rams this past January. Plenty of changes have taken place on the field and the sidelines since that decision, but Los Angeles’ unexpected degree of success have proven it to be a sound one. When elaborating on his status, McVay said in March that he wished to avoid his future being a year-to-year talking point.

McVay has posted a 69-45 regular season record in the regular season, and he now sits in a tie for second in franchise history in wins. The top spot – currently occupied by John Robinson, who coached the franchise from 1983-91 and recorded 75 wins – is very much within reach for next season. McVay has guided the Rams to the postseason for the fifth time in his tenure, and his attention will of course remain on their upcoming playoff matchup.

Beyond that, the organization will have much more flexibility in terms of cap space and draft capital than previous years. Given the impressive showing from the Rams’ 2023 rookie class, expectations will be high next fall if the transition to a younger core continues in the offseason. General manager Les Snead signed an extension in 2022, providing the Rams with stability in the front office. The same will now hold true on the sidelines.

McVay entered the 2023 campaign as the league’s seventh-longest tenured head coach, and his ability to oversee this year’s impressive run will allow him to continue his run in Los Angeles. A third Super Bowl appearance this winter would come as a surprise, but his postseason track record (which includes one championship) will give him a solid footing heading into 2024. Many questions amongst the Rams’ players will need to be answered in the coming months, but McVay’s future is not uncertain.

The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches

July 4th, 2023 at 12:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the 2022 offseason produced 10 new head coaches, this one brought a step back in terms of turnover. Five teams changed HCs, though each conducted thorough searches — four of them lasting until at least January 31.

The Colts and Cardinals hired their HCs after Super Bowl LVII, plucking the Eagles’ offensive and defensive coordinators (Shane Steichen, Jonathan Gannon). The Cardinals were hit with a tampering penalty regarding their Gannon search. Conducting their second HC search in two years, the Broncos saw multiple candidates drop out of the running. But Denver’s new ownership group convinced Sean Payton to step out of the FOX studio and back onto the sidelines after just one season away. The Panthers made this year’s first hire (Frank Reich), while the Texans — running their third HC search in three years — finalized an agreement with DeMeco Ryans minutes after the Payton news broke.

Only one of last year’s top 10 longest-tenured HCs lost his job. A turbulent Colts year led to Reich being fired barely a year after he signed an extension. During a rather eventful stretch, Jim Irsay said he reluctantly extended Reich in 2021. The Colts passed on giving interim HC Jeff Saturday the full-time position, despite Irsay previously indicating he hoped the former center would transition to that role. Reich landed on his feet, and after losing Andrew Luck to a shocking retirement just before his second Colts season, the well-regarded play-caller now has another No. 1 pick (Bryce Young) to mentor.

After considering a Rams exit, Sean McVay recommitted to the team and is overseeing a reshaped roster. Andy Reid also sidestepped retirement rumors, staying on with the Chiefs after his second Super Bowl win. This will be Reid’s 25th season as an NFL head coach.

Here is how the 32 HC jobs look for the 2023 season:

Bill Belichick (New England Patriots): January 27, 2000
Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers): January 27, 2007; extended through 2024
John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens): January 19, 2008; extended through 2025
Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks): January 9, 2010; extended through 2025
Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): January 4, 2013; extended through 2025
Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills): January 11, 2017; extended through 2027
Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams): January 12, 2017; extended through 2023
Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers): February 6, 2017; extended through 2025
Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans): January 20, 2018; signed extension in February 2022
Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): January 8, 2019: signed extension in July 2022
Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): February 4, 2019; extended through 2026
Ron Rivera (Washington Commanders): January 1, 2020
Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys): January 7, 2020
Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns): January 13, 2020
Robert Saleh (New York Jets): January 15, 2021
Arthur Smith (Atlanta Falcons): January 15, 2021
Brandon Staley (Los Angeles Chargers): January 17, 2021
Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions): January 20, 2021
Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2021
Matt Eberflus (Chicago Bears): January 27, 2022
Brian Daboll (New York Giants): January 28, 2022
Josh McDaniels (Las Vegas Raiders): January 30, 2022
Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): February 2, 2022
Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars): February 3, 2022
Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): February 6, 2022
Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints): February 7, 2022
Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): March 30, 2022
Frank Reich (Carolina Panthers): January 26, 2023
Sean Payton (Denver Broncos): January 31, 2023
DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans): January 31, 2023
Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts): February 14, 2023
Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals): February 14, 2023

Rams RB Cam Akers To Have Sizable Role In 2023?

June 17th, 2023 at 6:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Rams have Cam Akers in place as their top running back for 2023, despite the team’s efforts to trade him last year. Recent comments from head coach Sean McVay indicate a heavy workload can be expected this season.

The former second-rounder had a falling out with the Rams in 2022 after his return from an Achilles tear led to underwhelming performances. Akers was believed to be on his way out of Los Angeles – as acknowledged by McVay himself – in what would have been a change-of-scenery trade near the deadline. The Rams declined offers on that front, setting up a return to the fold to close out the season.

Akers appeared to have regained his pre-injury form down the stretch, racking up 512 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the final six contests of what was a lost campaign for the Rams. Overall, he totaled 786 yards on the ground at a clip of 4.2 yards per carry, figures which should allow the 23-year-old to carry over that success into the upcoming season, the final one of his rookie contract. A lead role in the backfield and the team’s offense as a whole appears to be in McVay’s plans at this point.

“He’s really capitalized on a lot of the momentum he built up toward the latter part of the year. And he’s going to be a huge part of what we’re doing moving forward,” he said when asked about Akers. “He’s had a great offseason… Cam is going to be a central figure in this offense… He’s taking great care of himself physically, he’s in a good place mentally. Just continuing to mature and I’m really excited about what he’s going to do for us this year” (h/t Cameron DaSilva of RamsWire).

A strong season from Akers would mark a notable reunion of sorts with a franchise he seemed destined to depart not too long ago. It would also, of course, help the Rams take a needed step forward on offense in general and the ground game in particular. Remaining healthy and productive would boost his free agent value as well, and leave the team with an interesting decision regarding his future. Returnees Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers are also available at the RB spot for Los Angeles, and the team added further depth by selecting Zach Evans in the sixth round of the draft. Assuming he is in fact given a workhorse role, though, all eyes will no doubt be on Akers in 2023.

Rams HC Sean McVay Committed To Remaining In Current Post Long-Term

March 19th, 2023 at 4:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2023 offseason has seen a number of changes so far for the Rams, but one constant will be head coach Sean McVay remaining on the sidelines in his current post. After consecutive years of his future being in doubt, the 37-year-old spoke on staying committed to Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.

McVay drew considerable interest from TV networks in each of the past two offseasons, with the decorated coach having dealt with a wide range of different issues recently. The Rams won Super Bowl LVI, but their title defense included a myriad of injuries and a 5-12 season. He took time away to contemplate his future this winter, but ultimately decided to extend his tenure to a seventh season at the helm. A repeat of the recent uncertainty surrounding his intentions is something he is now looking to avoid.

“What I didn’t want to do was make a decision that it comes up every year,” McVay said, via USA Today’s Tyler Dragon. “You want to make sure you’re making a decision that’s in alignment for years to come and not an every year type of deal… There are a lot of people you feel a great deal of responsibility to do right by them and to do a great job within the framework of your responsibilities. I’m really committed to not having this become a story every single year.”

McVay owns a .612 regular season winning percentage and has a pair of Super Bowl appearances on his resume. That success is expected to be replaced by a transition period for the franchise, though, following their aggressive moves in recent years. General manager Les Snead recently spoke about the “remodeling” the team is undergoing, with quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald named as the only veterans deemed to be untouchable for potential trades.

Those three players, along with Snead and McVay, each signed new deals last offseason. The latter faces the tall order of helping the team return to its past success under his guidance, but he has now publicly confirmed that his place will remain the sidelines for years to come.

“There was never a doubt whether you wanted to coach again,” he added. “It’s really just are you gonna be able to have the appropriate perspective to be the best version of yourself for the players and coaches. “I feel confident that can exist moving forward.”

NFC West Notes: Rams, Hopkins, Seahawks

January 18th, 2023 at 3:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming off disappointing seasons, the Cardinals and Rams may be looking to make high-profile cost cuts. DeAndre Hopkins and Jalen Ramsey may well be available in trades, with the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora noting deals involving the two former All-Pros will come down to “when” and they are moved and not “if.” Both Ramsey and Hopkins have already been traded, each moving from the AFC South to the NFC West — Ramsey in 2019 and Hopkins in 2020. Although Ramsey required two first-round picks to be pried from Jacksonville, La Canfora adds neither player should be expected to bring in the kind of haul fans would anticipate.

Both talents are signed to lucrative extensions. Ramsey’s five-year, $100MM deal (which set the cornerback market in 2020) runs through 2025. Hopkins’ $27.25MM contract runs through 2024. Ramsey, 28, should be expected to command more in a trade compared to Hopkins, 30. Coming off a suspension- and injury-limited 2022, latter has been rumored to be a possible trade chip. Several teams called the Cardinals on Hopkins at the deadline. Ramsey, however, has been a dependable piece in L.A. His exit would leave the Rams vulnerable at corner, considering they have rotated low-cost pieces around Ramsey at the position for years.

A Ramsey trade before June 1 is not especially palatable for the Rams, who are again projected to enter the offseason over the cap. Dealing the All-Pro talent after that date, however, would save the team $17MM. The Rams having not restructured Ramsey’s deal makes a trade something to monitor, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue notes (subscription required). Here is the latest from the NFC West:

This season’s Rams staff did not particularly appeal to Sean McVay by season’s end, Peter King of NBC Sports notes. Upon returning, McVay is expected to make staff changes. This may have been behind the Rams’ call to allow their position coaches to interview for other jobs without the threat of blocking the meeting. Whatever the reason, the Rams’ staff should look different in 2023. McVay also likely has a bit of regret of not taking a major TV job last year, per King, who adds no top-level gig was on the table for the six-year Rams HC this year.
The Rams will attempt to extend one of their UFA-to-be D-line starters (A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines), Rodrigue adds, but probably will not keep both. A former sixth-round pick who has started for the past two seasons, Gaines appears likelier — per Rodrigue — to be the team’s higher priority. Robinson’s expected market value could price out the Rams, who have Aaron Donald making a cool $10MM more than any other interior D-lineman.
Jamal Adams, who suffered a torn quad tendon in Week 1, remains without a timetable, Pete Carroll said this week. Jordyn Brooks‘ ACL surgery is scheduled for Friday. The late-season ACL tear will make top Seahawks tackler a candidate to begin next season on the PUP list. Surgery could be in the cards for tight end Will Dissly, but he will first attempt to rehab his knee injury without a procedure (Twitter links via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta).
Despite issues in the first season under DC Clint Hurtt, the Seahawks are planning neither staff changes nor a move back to a 4-3 defense, Carroll said. Seattle, which brought in Hurtt and ex-Bears DC Sean Desai to install a Vic Fangio-style scheme, finished outside the top 20 in yards, points and DVOA this season.
The second-team All-Pro nod 49ers special-teamer George Odum received will increase his 2023 base salary by $250K, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Odum, who signed with the 49ers in 2022 after a Colts tenure, will also collect a $250K incentive for the All-Pro nod. Odum led the league with 21 special teams tackles. Attached to a three-year deal worth $5.7MM, Odum has become one of the NFL’s best special-teamers. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2020.

Sean McVay To Remain With Rams

January 13th, 2023 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams are no longer awaiting word on Sean McVay‘s future. After rumblings he was going to leave after six seasons surfaced, McVay is shooting that talk down. He will come back.

McVay informed members of the Rams organization he plans to stay in place as the team’s head coach, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The team gave McVay space to make his decision, and he took a few days. Despite the Rams’ 5-12 finish and a run of injuries gutting their depth chart this season, the Super Bowl-winning HC will attempt to pick up the pieces in 2023.

Rams COO Kevin Demoff said the team had a contingency plan, with the Los Angeles Times’ Gary Klein indicating defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and tight ends coach Thomas Brown almost certainly resided as McVay fallback options. Both coaches are up for other positions, but each could also return as top McVay lieutenants next season. McVay is considering staff changes, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo add (via Twitter).

Still the youngest head coach in the NFL, McVay has received extensive interest from networks for prime analyst roles. Even part-time work would have satisfied certain networks, giving McVay a lucrative out from his Rams post. The wunderkind coach confirmed he is interested in pursuing a TV career at some point. Amazon and Fox wooed him last year, but he turned each down and signed an extension that made him one of the league’s highest-paid coaches. It appears the 36-year-old leader will stay on that contract and attempt a Rams reload.

A Sunday report pointed to McVay being likelier to step away, though The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue indicated some among the Rams believed he would ultimately come back (Twitter link). The Rams sent out an ominous message earlier this week, letting their assistants know lateral moves to other teams, as McVay pondered his future, would not be blocked. While it does sound like staff changes are coming — one we know will happen is at the offensive coordinator post, after Liam Coen returned to Kentucky — several key Rams staffers will likely be back.

McVay’s arrival in Los Angeles turned the Rams from the league’s worst passing offense to the NFL’s top scoring team, resulting in a 2017 playoff berth and Coach of the Year honors. Proving to be one of the modern game’s premier offensive minds, McVay accomplished that feat at 31, led the Rams to the Super Bowl at 32 and won it at 35, putting himself on a trajectory to become one of the game’s all-time greats — should he choose to stick around long enough to bolster his resume. The Rams are 60-38 under McVay, but they did just complete the worst Super Bowl title defense in history.

Last year, the Rams extended Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp. By December, none of those stars were available. The 2022 season flipped the Rams’ injury fortune, with offensive line setbacks also crushing the team. L.A. started four quarterbacks, including waiver claim Baker Mayfield. Stafford, 35 in February, said he has no plans to retire. The Rams prioritized a healthy Stafford offseason — after 2022’s featured nagging elbow trouble — and used Mayfield down the stretch. Donald, who joined Kupp as the drivers of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win last year, also made it clear McVay played a major role in his decision not to retire last year.

The Rams will face familiar problems in 2023: no first-round pick (they do have a second-rounder this year) and a cap-space figure projected to be near the bottom of the league. These issues have not deterred the McVay-Les Snead regime from continually fielding strong teams, but 2023 — when Kupp will join Donald and Stafford as over-30 standouts — may be more challenging.

McVay leaving the Rams could have brought an organization-altering change, considering the value he has presented the team over the past six years. Checking this box will be the most important, and the Rams can now move on to staff and roster matters as they attempt to assemble a fifth playoff team in the McVay era.

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