Why did the LA Rams pass on this former Jets OL coach?

We know that the LA Rams offense needed to hire a new offensive line coach, but the truth of the matter is that this hire could be the most important addition to the team’s success in 2023. Could being the operative word. After all, the OL position coach is only one gear to the machinery that continues to churn out successful offensive lines.

The LA Rams have a formula, a design set of specifications that has resulted in the team finding better-than-average NFL success. That set of specs has been consistent since 2017. In quick summary, the team pays for an elite player in the position of a pass rusher, cornerback, blindside offensive tackle, wide receiver, and finally quarterback.

The rest of the roster has been constructed in such a manner as to balance out the number of players on the roster at various positional groups and the compensation of those players in those positional groups based on the team’s current set of circumstances.

Look for LA Rams to stick with a winning formula

Don’t expect the LA Rams to suddenly abandon the path that led the organization to two Super Bowl appearances in the past six years. While the fans continue to demand that the Rams invest multiple draft picks into their offensive line, I wouldn’t be too quick to die on that hill. The Rams had far too many injuries to the offensive line in 2019 and now in 2022 to form a fair objective assessment of the quality of individual players.

Since 2022 seems to be following in the footsteps of 2019, does it seem reasonable to expect the LA Rams offensive line to rebound significantly in 2023? I think that could prove to be the case, but there are always extenuating circumstances. One such variable is who the LA Rams hire to become their new offensive line coach.

One of the candidates who interviewed for the role is former San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets OL Coach John Benton:

So what can I tell you about this new candidate that you don’t already know?