Sean McVay risks losing his prized right-hand man to a division rival

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is used to having his top assistants get poached away from the Los Angeles Rams. Seemingly every offseason, other franchises are lurking, looking to pick the talented young coaches off of L.A.'s staff. Bright minds like Kevin O'Connell, Matt LaFleur, and Liam Coen have all left the Rams to have success with other teams.

This offseason won't be any different. Both defensive coordinator Chris Shula and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur are getting some early head coaching buzz. Even offensive pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase is filling up his dance card.

LaFleur has already been asked to interview for two open head coach positions. If he joins the Arizona Cardinals, it could make for the Rams' nightmare scenario.

Rams could be set to lose Sean McVay's top assistant to an NFC West rival

The NFC West is already stacked with coaching talent. McVay, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would be near the top of any coaching rankings this season. With McVay's genius behind the offense, the Rams have been able to produce in any circumstances.

Unfortunately, he may be losing his right-hand man this offseason.

According to NFL analyst and reporter Peter Schrager, LaFleur has been asked to interview for the head coach vacancies for the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals. It would be easier to stomach watching McVay's top assistant go to the AFC to try his hand at being a head coach. But if he's successful in the NFC West, it could be a disaster for the Rams.

LaFleur seldom calls plays for the Rams' offense, but he is a major part of their strategic force. In fact, when McVay was ill for one game this season, the young OC took over playcalling duties and thrived. Against the Cardinals in Week 14, LaFleur helped lead the offense to a 45-point outburst. After spending most of his time with the Rams in the shadows, he suddenly looked like the NFL's next hot-shot playcaller. Apparently, Arizona took notice.

Of course, LaFleur did call plays for the New York Jets under Robert Saleh for a short stretch. He was unsuccessful there but has since had the opportunity to learn from McVay.

McVay has an immaculate record when it comes to producing successful head coaches from his offensive staff. So far, those coaches haven't often gone on to directly hinder the Rams from achieving their goals. If LaFleur takes the Cardinals' head coaching job and turns that franchise around, that could change in the worst way.