Rams get very lucky as Browns decide not to commit to Nate Scheelhaase

Los Angeles Rams fans have grown accustomed to many of their better assistants leaving after successful years to take head coaching jobs elsewhere. It looked like both offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase could have been on the move in the early stages of the offseason.

Not only is LaFleur considered one of the top candidates (if not the favorite) for the Arizona Cardinals' head coaching vacancy within the division, but Scheelhaase, who is still just 35 years old, was thought to be one of the favorites for the Cleveland Browns' vacancy. However, Jimmy Haslam went in a different direction.

The Browns hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to be their next head coach, which means that Scheelhaase will be coming back to the Rams for the 2026 season. If LaFleur takes the Arizona job, LA will have a ready-made offensive coordinator replacement.

Nate Scheelhaase returns to Rams in 2026 as Browns hire Todd Monken

Scheelhaase's rise to the top of the coaching ranks has been quite rapid. As recently as the 2023 season, the former Illinois quarterback was in the collegiate ranks, calling plays at Iowa State. After an NFL gig opened up in 2024, Scheelhaase jumped on it and was eventually promoted to pass game coordinator.

Scheelhaase has never called plays or even been a coordinator before, but the allure of the Sean McVay pixie dust is too strong to ignore. Zac Taylor had a similar career path before the Cincinnati Bengals hired him, and he has a Super Bowl appearance under his belt.

Scheelhaase seems like a ready-made OC replacement for LaFleur. Even though McVay will continue to call plays for the Rams going forward, having that OC title could be what Scheelhaase needs to eventually force his way into one of the many vacancies.

Not only are the Rams keeping Scheelhaase in his role, but they are also likely going to keep defensive coordinator Chris Shula after the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to hire Mike McCarthy. Even after such a tremendous 2025 campaign, LA might be able to keep most of its big names intact.

Scheelhaase may not be with the Rams for very long as his status within the league continues to grow, but after the Browns decided not to take the plunge, the Rams will at least get one more quality season out of Scheelhaase before he moves on for greener pastures.