It's now or never for Rams DC Chris Shula as he finally fields 'his' defense

As soon as the Los Angeles Rams learned that former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was hired as the new head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Chris Shula became the most obvious next in line for the role. He was both a friend and colleague of head coach Sean McVay for many years. The Shula name is one of the most recognizable names in NFL circles.

But, perhaps most importantly, it was time.

Shula is a natural defensive coordinator. Unlike previous DCs, Shula's style is one that fits the mindset of fans. He wants his players to attack the line of scrimmage, the ball carrier, and the football. In 2024, with the cheapest defense in the NFL, his squad finished in 17th place. One year later, still on a shoestring budget, his group finished in 10th place.

But the third time's a charm. He put the finishing touches on the run defense in 2025. Now, he has orchestrated a secondary upgrade.

It's all for naught to the fans if it's a passive defense. Well, that won't happen. As cautious as Shula appears to be, he continues to put his defense to the test by demanding turnovers. And his players have responded.

In 2024, the defense created 20 turnovers. Just one year later, it created 26 turnovers, an increase of 30 percent. Not bad.

Chris Shula finally has 'his' devense on the football field

Like it or not, the LA Rams placed a priority on the offensive side of the football. That decision forced Shula to make do with scraps, leftovers, and hand-me-downs. That is not to say that the players were inferior. In many ways, he shopped the bargain basement for veterans and rookies whose passion for the game rivaled his own.

Shula inherited the defense in 2024 and immediately set to work to upgrade the pass rush. He mastered that with the addition of rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske. In 2025, he mastered the run defense with the additions of nose tackle Poona Ford and inside linebacker Nate Landman.

He hopes to have a similar impact on coverage with the addition of veteran cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.

Like a master sculptor, Shula has patiently chiselled his defense each year, perfecting one aspect to his high standards. In 2026, he is ready to unveil his fully operational defense. And it's just in time, too.

After being passed over for a head coaching role after the 2025 NFL season, Shula is even more determined to prove that he has what it takes. That means that NFL offenses are in for a bit of system shock.

Chris Shula has finally arrived. His defense has been formed to the specifications of an NFL defensive savant. Now, it's just a matter of time before the LA defensive Kraken is unleashed on the league. Grab your popcorn, fans, and enjoy the show.

As always, thanks for reading.

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