The L.A. Rams are a few seasons removed from being a consistently dominant force in the NFC under Sean McVay. Much of the second half of last season appeared to be a return to form, yet the Rams have seemingly fallen back to earth as injuries continue piling up. Despite the struggles, McVay appears committed to righting the ship in LA, but how much longer is he willing to do this?
McVay considered stepping over after the miserable 2022 campaign in which the Rams finished 5-12, marking the coach’s first losing season in Hollywood. Not even two years later and McVay’s commitment to LA remains a significant talking point.
In an October 4 NFL media mailbag for The Athletic, Rams writer Jourdan Rodrigue answered a question asking whether McVay’s coaching future is tied to quarterback Matthew Stafford with the team’s “championship window closing.”
“Ever since McVay genuinely considered stepping away from coaching in 2022, it’s fair for people on the outside to wonder how long he will stay in that world. My experience and impression, though, is quite different than those who think he’s ready to jump at any time. I don’t think he feels tied to Stafford’s own career timeline, although it’s certainly possible he once felt that way.
I have written in-depth about how McVay got himself back to coaching after a mental burnout in 2022 — and through those conversations and that reporting, I believe he at minimum wants to stay committed to his current contract, which runs through 2026, if not longer. McVay knows the booth will be waiting for him at any time, the prices keep going up all the same, and I believe he genuinely wants to be the type of coach who has a reputation for overcoming adversity and developing players. I believe he now understands that his legacy as a coach and reputation among his peers is about a lot more than becoming the youngest NFL head coach or that Super Bowl win.”
In my opinion, I felt McVay had burned himself out at that time because he had experienced a pair of unparalleled seasons in back-to-back years. The Rams had gone from the pinnacle of the sport by winning the 2022 Super Bowl to finishing near the bottom of the NFC West standings and tying the mark for the most losses by a SB champ the following year.
Being a part of that rollercoaster would take a toll on anyone in the NFL, whether they care to admit it. Of course, McVay was given a hard time for daring to “quit” on his team when the situation around him got tough. Sure the retirement talk for someone in their 30s was a bit odd. However, McVay is human and if he wanted to step away from the game he loves and take a much-needed breather, power to him.
The 2023 season saw a happier and more energized McVay roaming the sidelines. In no way did it appear to be a facade as cameras routinely showed him excitedly dabbing up his players. While this season has been hard to watch through the first four weeks, let’s give the Sean McVay retirement/commitment talks a reprieve as the veteran coach looks to work his magic against the Packers on Sunday.
