The Los Angeles Rams could soon undergo more changes, but at least head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead won’t be going anywhere.
On Monday, McVay and Snead signed contract extensions with the Rams. According to Stu Jackson of the team website, they both signed multiyear deals, but the terms remain unspecified.
“[McVay and Snead] continue to embody the standard of this franchise to compete for championships, consistently delivering a product that our fans and city can be proud of. Their collaboration embodies the We Then Me ethos we seek in our players, coaches and staff, and we are thrilled they will be leading the Los Angeles Rams for years to come,” team owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement.
It’s paramount for the Rams that McVay and Snead — who helped the franchise win its second Super Bowl during the 2021 season — remain with the team for the foreseeable future. The organization needs stable leadership to navigate a period of potential change.
Rams face potential challenges in 2026 and 2027 and need Sean McVay and Les Snead to overcome them
Before the Rams lost, 31-27, to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, L.A. quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, reportedly told confidants he plans to play next season. McVay, however, isn’t certain he will.
“If that’s something that he wants to do, the answer is absolutely yes,” the coach said Monday when asked if he wants Stafford back next season (via NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman). “Our hope is that he does, but with respect to his timetable … we’ll let him be able to do that.”
Even if Stafford returns next season, the Rams should consider adding a potential successor in the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft. QB2 Jimmy Garoppolo is an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason. QB3 Stetson Bennett IV, meanwhile, hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game in three seasons with the team.
The Rams are also continuing to lose members of their coaching staff. The Arizona Cardinals hired former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as HC on Sunday. McVay calls plays for L.A., but LaFleur helped the team rank No. 1 in the league in points scored (30 points per game) this season. (That figure includes the playoffs.)
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase may be the next McVay disciples who become HCs. Both reportedly interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ head-coaching vacancy before the team hired Mike McCarthy. Each should be HC candidates again next offseason if the Rams remain an NFC power, which they likely will.
The Rams will look different in 2026 and 2027. But fans should trust the McVay-Snead-led regime to keep the team in Super Bowl contention.
They’ve already maneuvered through transition periods in nine seasons together and have still led the team to seven playoff appearances during that span. So, what’s another to the genius HC and shrewd GM?