It’s shocking to think that the LA Rams may be one of the teams that will be changing the coaching staff. This was a tough season, fraught with injuries upon injuries, and the Rams roster truly had no chance of getting the team stabilized enough to turn things around quickly enough.
And so it begins, the NFL head coaching carousel is already starting. It’s the annual changing of the guard for NFL teams that had disappointing seasons
The #Texans have fired coach Lovie Smith, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Another one-and-done in Houston. pic.twitter.com/1Ld7PxCGUq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2023
The Denver Broncos, the team that had fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after the Denver Broncos were demolished by the Rams on Christmas Day, have wasted no time in their search for a new head coach.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Saints and #Broncos have begun negotiations on a potential deal for Sean Payton, #Rams coach Sean McVay plans to take time to consider his future, and the fate of #Texans coach Lovie Smith is in doubt. pic.twitter.com/n1nEKZVNWO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2023
But whether the cost of doing further business with former New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is too steep, or they simply want to get the formalities out of the way, the Denver Broncos has sought permission to interview LA Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris for their head coaching role:
More uncertainty for the Rams’ coaching staff: Broncos are requesting permission this morning to interview Rams’ defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their HC job, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2023
That would give the Broncos the flexibility to retain two former Rams coaches: DC Ejiro Evero and DL coach Marcus Dixon.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is now another casualty. Kingsbury was hired in the hope that he could unlock the NFL offensive Rubik’s cube that would unleash the full potential of dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray on the NFL. Unfortunately, that never happened as Murray has been delivering diminishing returns for the Cardinals. In four seasons, Murray played in 57 out of 66 games and holds a record of 25-31-1 as the Cardinals starting quarterback.
Sources: The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who 10 months ago signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2023
The Cardinals still never have had a head coach - any head coach - last longer than six years while the team has existed for over 100 years. pic.twitter.com/kYWb1AfjIG
Complicating the Arizona Cardinals’ search right now is the fact that their GM Steve Keim is also stepping away from his role too. But the Cardinals are not the only team in the market for a new NFL general manager.
Summing it up as of Monday, January 9, 2023:
Denver Broncos– Head coach
Arizona Cardinals – Head coach / GM
Carolina Panthers – Head coach
Indianapolis Colts – Head coach
LA Rams – To Be Determined
Cleveland Browns – Defensive coordinator
Houston Texans – Head coach
Atlanta Falcons – Defensive coordinator
Tennessee Titans – General Manager
Right now, the hope is that the Rams coaching staff remains intact. The ‘feel’ of many NFL insiders believe that Rams head coach Sean McVay will opt for some distance from NFL, whether that is a month or two, or longer.
We’ll continue to monitor the NFL moves. Not only because the LA Rams may be in the market for a new head coach, but as teams restaff their own coaches, the LA Rams coaching staff has been a primary source for their efforts to find reliable coaches for other NFL teams.