One year after McVay, Rams GM Les Snead has work to do

Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead scored a major coup when he hired Sean McVay as head coach. One year later and after a huge 11-5 season, a second act begins.

Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead isn’t enjoying the last laugh.
But he could.

One year after making perhaps the best hire of his career, the Rams GM isn’t resting on his laurels or good fortune. Now, as he puts it, it’s about what lies beyond being NFC West champions.

"“Guess what? You’re trying to not just win the division but, OK, repeat and then maybe take the next step and let’s go for home-field advantage. Let’s take the first round out of it.”"

Goodness, what a difference a year can make.

Last year at this time, it was optimism about what could be. Today, it’s a tangible reality that the best may still be yet to come.

But not without a lot of work.

Snead knows that for the Rams to not just get back to this years’ level of success, but to exceed it next season, will require figuring out who stays, who goes, and knowing Los Angeles won’t be sneaking up on anyone in 2018.

"“Just because we did it last year, and on paper it looks like, ‘OK, we’re ready to ascend,’ that’s all on paper,” Snead said. “You’ve still got to do it again.”"

It’s no secret most expected the Rams GM to probably follow the former head coach out the door when the 2016 season ended. Instead, Snead scores with Sean McVay, nails a solid draft and free agency period, and then 11-5, the NFC West, and a playoff appearance.

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But as he knows, it’s about what comes next.

And what’s next is building on the remarkable, if not completely unexpected success.

Now it’s getting Aaron Donald done, figuring out what in the world to do with players like Tavon Austin and Trumaine Johnson, and a draft and free agency that will again define the Rams for better or worse next season.

Now the work begins again.