Rams rumored to get stronger on defense, but it may be how fans expected

What would you think if the same college football program that delivered a sensational undrafted inside linebacker was tapped for the second time to bolster the Los Angeles Rams defense? Well, it's the hottest NFL rumors, as the Rams are expected to hire a former Buffalo and Syracuse defensive coach, Robert Wright

The move adds to a backfill of roles that may be vacated in 2026 or beyond. As noted in an earlier article, assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant is a hot name right now, landing interviews with multiple NFL teams searching to upgrade their defensive coordinator position. Should Pleasant be hired elsewhere, LA will need help on defense.

The link to Los Angeles for Coach Robert Wright is undrafted inside linebacker Shaun Dolac, who played for Wright in Buffalo in 2023. Dolac would enter the NFL in 2025, while Wright would pursue a new coaching role at Syracuse. Wright was named to the American Football Coaches Association 35-under-35 in his first year at Syracuse.

He has a knack for coaching up linebackers, an area of need on the coaching staff. Linebackers are not just defenders, but are infamously effective on special teams in coverage. Now Wright will bring his expertise to aid LA's task of coaching up defenders.

Rams coaching hires forming a pattern

The LA Rams lost offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. But the pattern of coaching hires suggests a more strategic view of the team's future. While LA reserves coaching hire announcements for one grand update, we've added expected roles to each of the new coaches in the table below.

Offense

• Offensive coaching assistant - Brian Allen (offensive line)
• Offensive coach - Kliff Kingsbury (offensive coordinator)

What fans may notice new for 2026: The team's addition of Kliff Kingsbury places mobile and dual-threat quarterbacks on the shopping list this offseason. That could mean either a tarnished mobile veteran or a rookie prospect is in general manager Les Snead's sights

Defense

• Defensive Assistant - Nate Wright (linebackers)
• Defensive position coach - Michael Hunter (defensive backs)

What fans may notice new for 2026: Aubrey Pleasant may be leaving. LA's secondary had modest success at rehabilitating talented defensive backs from other teams. But the team's investment in young defensive coaches suggests pivoting to the draft as the primary source for talent.

Time will tell.

Special teams

• Special teams coordinator - Bubba Ventrone
• Special teams assistant - Kyle Hoke

Almost every fan can recite the chaos caused by poor special teams play in 2025. Currently, the only person to survive the team's purge is punter Ethan Evans. There is pressure on new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone to stop the hemorrhaging. He was superb with the Indianapolis Colts, but not so much with the Cleveland Browns

LA is betting on his finding a way back to the top.

2026 has not even arrived yet, but the team's interest in young, talented coaches suggests that the team has embraced its role as the coaching incubator for other teams. As long as the team loses staff to other NFL teams, the best and brightest coaches will be happy to join the ranks

They are hoping for a similar promotion someday.

As always, thanks for reading.