Sean McVay could finally bail for the broadcast booth if Rams' season ends poorly

The Los Angeles Rams' 2026 season has not gone according to plan so far. A team many thought was going to cakewalk its way to the Super Bowl is 2-4 and in last place in the NFC West.

While there's still plenty of season to go, it's natural to wonder about the future of head coach Sean McVay in L.A., especially if things continue to go awry. Dan Patrick recently gave Rams fans another possible reason to worry about their future Hall of Fame coach leaving, citing a new job could be in the works for McVay.

During a segment on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday (subscription required), Patrick was discussing Troy Aikman's contract situation with ESPN and Monday Night Football. For those who are unaware, Joe Buck signed his new deal to remain on the program but Aikman has not and is not expected to be back on MNF next year.

This, of course, opened up the conversation of who ESPN could get in the booth to replace Aikman. Patrick floated McVay as one of the potential replacements, noting that he's "Gruden-like." Some might not remember Jon Gruden's MNF days, but he was great at the job. McVay has similar energy and a passion for the sport.

"I think Sean McVay is gonna be in a booth. He's gonna be in a situation next year [where he could leave]. He had the opportunity [to leave] before," Patrick said. "Sean McVay is [Jon] Gruden-like... ESPN's gonna have some choices there with Joe [Buck]... I see Sean McVay [in the booth] sooner than later."

Why Sean McVay leaving for MNF makes sense

Rams fans have heard this noise before. McVay previously pondered retirement after a disappointing 2022 season. The Rams were expected to be contenders after winning it all in 2021 but injuries and inconsistencies held them back and they failed to even qualify for the playoffs. It's working out to be a similar situation, isn't it?

Think about it.

The Rams entered the season as the proverbial Super Bowl favorites (for good reason) but now, six games into the season, they're banged up and battered as can be. Myles Garrett, their massive trade acquisition, played one game before landing on IR.

Puka Nacua missed time due to injury. Cornerback Jaylen Watson exited a game a few weeks ago with an injury. He missed a game-and-a-half. His counterpart Trent McDuffie missed Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Davante Adams will miss a significant amount of time with a hamstring injury.

The injuries are piling up and it might be too much for even McVay's excellent coaching to overcome. If this ends up being a year to forget for the Rams, will McVay want to try to run it back next season or will he retire from coaching and forge a different path?

Rams fans really hope that McVay doesn't leave

Fans certainly hope that the Rams can retain McVay. After all, this team won't be half as good as it has been in recent years without his knowledge and leadership. That being said, it makes sense why he'd want a change of scenery.

Former Saints head coach Sean Payton did it following the 2021 season, serving as an in-studio host on FOX before unretiring and landing with the Broncos. That's gone well for Payton so far. McVay could opt to do something similar, commentating for a year or however long until a favorable head coaching spot opens up. Or he could enjoy his new life in the booth and stick with it.

Patrick even cited Mike Tomlin, the longtime Steelers skipper, as someone to look at when it comes to transitioning to broadcast life. Tomlin's situation was different, as he and the Steelers mutually agreed to part ways, but now he's on Football Night in America and looks to be really enjoying himself. Perhaps this could be the same trajectory that McVay takes.

For what it's worth, Patrick also floated the Kelce brothers as options to replace Aikman and Rams fans will certainly push for that option over McVay. Whatever it takes to keep McVay leading the charge for the L.A. Rams.

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