Originally published by RamsNewswire.com
The Los Angeles Rams coaching staff will look quite different in 2024 as it’s lost several key members the past week.
The biggest loss was former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who accepted the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons. As is customary, Morris is bringing along multiple people from head coach Sean McVay’s staff such as Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake.
McVay is used to losing several members of his staff every offseason and will once again search for qualified candidates to replace them. Finding a suitable defensive coordinator will be quite the challenge and McVay could be looking for a more seasoned option as the team reportedly met with former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for the role.
Aside from Rivera, Los Angeles could also look to hire from within as they will reportedly meet with Aubrey Pleasant and Chris Shula, via Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic:
Rams DBs coach/pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant and ILBs coach/pass rush coordinator Chris Shula are expected to interview for defensive coordinator this week, per source.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 29, 2024
However, McVay and company are doing their due diligence as they’ve reached out to people across the league via Todd Archer and Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Green Bay, the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta have sought permission to speak to Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde, per multiple sources. He has been with the team since 2021, having spent 5 years with Dan Quinn in Atlanta, where he also worked with new coach Raheem Morris.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 26, 2024
Ravens’ defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson is interviewing for the defensive coordinator jobs with the Rams, Titans and Giants, per source. It’s his second DC interview with the Giants.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2024
Pleasant and Shula are intriguing candidates because of their familiarity with McVay and the system, though an outside hire like Aden Durde or Dennard Wilson could bring some valuable insight considering how well the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens’ defensive units looked in the 2023 season.
McVay hasn’t been afraid to take swings on people for his coordinator roles, so it’ll be interesting to see which direction they go in.
Rams interested in Brandon Staley for defensive coordinator position
Losing Morris is a huge hit for the defensive side of the field, but McVay should have a talented pool of candidates to pull from. One possibility could be a reunion with Brandon Staley, who the team is reportedly interested in reuniting with after he was let go from the Los Angeles Chargers.
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