Nate Scheelhaase new offensive wrinkles could remind fans of Ground Chuck

Don't look now, but here comes the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL's latest wunderkind, offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase has developed rapidly, but in responsibility and reputation, in NFL coaching circles.

Now he sits atop one of the premier offenses in the league, and fans are all asking the same question: What new wrinkles can Nate Scheelhaase infuse into the top-scoring offense from 2025?

Run, baby, run. In essence, the same play-action passing offense that scored almost at will in 2025 behind two and three-tight-end formations has plenty of opportunity to grow a robust rushing attack.

Los Angeles boasts six running backs as the team enters training camp. But as much as the team is likely to fall upon the old and proven players and roles, the talent in the running back room is so talented that this team could shatter expectations by delivering entirely new chapters from the offensive playbook.

Nate Scheelhaase could forge a new Rams ground-dominating offense

The LA Rams have an extensive history and tradition of dominating defenses with an unstoppable rushing attack. Former head coach Chuck Knox was so enamored with running the football that he became known throughout the NFL as 'Ground Chuck.'

LA scored points in 2025. Lots of points. So, if the offense was able to confuse defenses by leaning heavily into the tight end position, why not repeat the process with the running back position? Let's see how that might work

The 3 amigos

95 percent of the rushing offense entering training camp is almost certainly going to fall on veteran running back Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers. Fantasy Football general managers would be wise to look for either Williams or Corum this season, as both are poised to crack 1000 rushing yards as well as score plenty of touchdowns.

The team loves Ronnie Rivers as the primary backup. Despite LA releasing him last season, he found his way back to the practice squad and ultimately back to the roster.

Jarquez Hunter

Second-year running back Jarquez Hunter is as much of a mystery as he is potentially a breakout player. He is the embodiment of powerful running between the tackles, while possessing the breakaway speed to attack defensive perimeters. Unfortunately, he enters Year 2 without having carried the football.

Will he get carries in 2026? That's the question. If he does, he adds a new dimension to an already formidable rushing attack. But even if he is integrated into the offense, he is unlikely to get much work. If he shatters expectations early in the season, he could be a valuable weapon.

Power backs

The Rams roster boasts two running backs who stand 6-foot-0 in height. They are RB Jordan Waters and RB Dean Connors (albeit he is listed at 5-foot-11 on the Rams official website). Both rushers are known for powerful strides that run through would-be tacklers. Neither is likely to make the team, but they are enough to flirt with the hope of a true power back making the team.

The wildcat wildcard

How creative is new OC Nate Scheelhaase? Well, he has the perfect offensive weapon in undrafted rookie tight end Dan Villari. Villari is a former Michigan quarterback who transferred to Syracuse and cross-trained as a tight end. But he offers the ability to run, block, catch, and pass to an offense. Can Scheelhaase unlock that unparalleled versatility?

LA certainly wanted him, offering him a $45,000 signing bonus to come aboard. That level of investment suggests the offense has a defined role for him already.

Before taking over as the Iowa State offensive coordinator, Scheelhaase coached wide receivers and running backs. It's no stretch of the imagination to view his ascension to offensive coordinator with Los Angeles as a renewed emphasis on contributions from the running back position.

And the Rams roster has plenty of talent to work with.

For now, it's wait-and-see. But it would be a natural migration from a tight-end-heavy offense to an emphasis on running the football in 2026. Until fans see it on the football field, it's just one more thing to watch for.

As always, thanks for reading.

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