3 reasons why LA Rams didn’t use team franchise tag in 2020

Reason 3 – New Coordinators

Despite the fact that the Rams have retained positional coaches, the team is in flux. Not anything major like a switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, or a sweeping change of offensive play calling. But changes nonetheless.  The changes are scheme driven, a subtle change of philosophy.

On offense, the new scheme is simply about getting younger, faster, and on the fly. By the end of 2020, the Rams offensive line will likely be completely new compared to the offensive line which lined up in Super Bowl LIII.  And that’s not all.  The team is looking to become more effective and less predictable. While there is virtually no chance of the team changing the guy under center, the team will likely be looking for ways to surround quarterback Jared Goff with playmakers and more effective plays. Right now, the Rams are open to trading away running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. They will still have WRs Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, TE Tyler Higbee, and the makings of a far more effective offensive line in 2020.

On defense, the differences will be a bit more obvious and dramatic.  The Vic Fangio defense is, to put it plainly, like a swarm of hornets. No one player is above the rest, but the actions of all eleven players on the field are such that the defense adapts, swarms, converges, and gang tackles. That may be out of necessity, as the team has already watched Michael Brockers and Cory Littleton depart via the 2020 NFL Free Agency market. Of course, the LA Rams defense will feature All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who gives any defensive coordinator an insane advantage at the line of scrimmage.  He plays at the equivalent level of two defensive linemen, giving the Rams the makings of a 4-4-4 defense.