If LA Rams Sean McVay walks, here are 3 great HC options

The LA Rams finished their 2022-2023 season with a 5-12 record after their 19-16 overtime loss to their divisional rival Seattle Seahawks in week 18. Although this will be a season all Rams fans will want to forget, now that this season is over, it’s time to look forward to the 2023 season and put it in the rearview mirror.

The big topic in recent news is the future of head coach Sean McVay. There have been talks that he might decide to walk away from the head coaching position due to a lot of stress this season has caused, on and off the field, and it might be time for a mental reset. NFL Insider Peter Schrager of Fox Sports talked about Sean McVay and how he is going “back and forth” on his decision and that McVay has dealt with a lot personally on and off the field (seen below).

If McVay decides to walk away and let me be clear, we don’t know when or if that time will come; who will be some candidates to replace him as Rams Head Coach? I have come up with three great choices to fill that role if necessary.

1. Raheem Morris

The current LA Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris might be an in-house route they would take if needed. Morris helped win the Rams the Super Bowl last year and has been praised highly by Coach Sean McVay. Even though the Rams’ defense didn’t look good at times throughout the year and finished 19th in opponents yards per game, Morris would be a strong candidate to take over the role. His promotion would ensure continuity among the existing coaching staff, and familiarity with the players too.

He will also be looked at from other teams, most likely, including the Denver Broncos that was reported today, so it’s clear that Morris is more than capable of being a head coach for an NFL team.

2. Ben Johnson

The 36-year-old Detriot Lions offensive coordinator made a name for himself this year. The Lions finished with a 9-8 record, and their offense was one of the best in the league. They finished 4th in total yards a game (380.0) and 5th in points per game (26.6).

Johnson made former Rams QB Jared Goff look great this season, and as a whole, their offense was outstanding.  He will definitely be considered for head coaching jobs in the league this season. Because he is both innovative and highly effective on the offensive side of football, I believe that he is the best candidate to replace McVay should the need arise. Keep Ben Johnson on your radar this offseason.

3. DeMeco Ryans

The Rams are not strangers in seeing and hearing San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans’s name. The current San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator might be one of the hottest names for head coaching jobs this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers’ defense ranked first in total yards a game (300.6) and ranked first in opponents’ points per game (16.3).

They have been the best defense in the league all year, and Ryans’s is a huge reason why. The 49ers are hot, riding a ten-game winning streak going into the playoffs. DeMeco is someone the Rams should interview and consider, as poaching him from the 49ers coaching staff would give a double-whammy of helping the Rams while hurting the 49ers, which would be the icing on the cake.

Current Rams rumors are that Coach Sean McVay will take some time to evaluate his situation and decide whether he would want to return for next season. Of course, LA Rams fans everywhere would love to see McVay back on the sideline for the 2023 season. Unfortunately, there is no certainty about it.  We’ll know more in the coming days and weeks, and as new information becomes available, can determine if the Rams will have to look in a different direction for their head coach.