Getty Sean Payton and Raheem Morris on August 26, 2023 in Denver.
Are the Las Vegas Raiders about to pluck from the “Rams House?”
After firing head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler on October 31, the Raiders could hit up the Los Angeles Rams to find a permanent replacement for McDaniels, according to one writer.
Tashan Reed of The Athletic wrote than Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is one of the names to watch.
Why Raheem Morris Fits the Raiders
Reed noted that Morris, 47, has shown improvement since his first attempt at head coaching, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011.
“His resume is even stronger,” Reed in his November 1 story. “He has redeemed himself and done more than enough to earn a second chance. The Rams defense has declined since its Super Bowl win. But it remains a solid group despite losing much of its personnel.”
Morris’ play-calling has done its part to keep the 2023 Rams (3-4) in games, outside of giving up 43 points to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. But overall, he’s given the Rams’ defense these highlights:
- The Rams held the Philadelphia Eagles to 23 points — the fewest points scored by the Eagles in their seven victories this season.
- The Dallas blowout notwithstanding, each of the Rams’ four other losses was decided by 9 points or fewer.
- The Rams have allowed eight touchdown passes in their first eight games, tied for fourth best in the NFL.
There’s more to Morris’ body of work this season that adds to his increasing chances of being a head coach again. Morris has a background in calling the plays on both sides of the football. He’s been a wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator along with running defenses as a coordinator.
Furthermore, Morris has established himself as a high-energy but player-friendly coach with two Super Bowl rings. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and former Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey are two notable Morris players who have spoken highly of “Ra.” Reed wrote that Morris has readied himself for another head coaching gig.
“The 47-year-old has experience calling both offensive and defensive plays, possesses an infectious personality and seems ready for another shot as a head coach,” Reed said.
Who Else Believes Morris Is a Fit for the Raiders?
Reed isn’t the only writer who sees Morris as a Raiders fit. Blaine Grisak of SB Nation is another endorser of Morris.
“Morris has been a popular name in the past few head coach hire cycles. Just last season he was a finalist for the Indianapolis Colts job before eventually getting beat out by Shane Steichen,” Grisak wrote in his November 1 story. “While the Rams defense has been inconsistent, given the lack of overall talent, they have shown some good moments. With Morris’ reputation, it’s hard to see the Raiders not giving the Rams defensive coordinator some level of consideration.”
Grisak wrote that the Raiders need a high-character coach more over a popular name guy. Morris “would fit that description,” he wrote.
However, he pointed out that the Raiders have desired “splash” hires. McDaniels being a multiple Super Bowl winner as an offensive coordinator qualified him as a splash hire in 2022. The man he succeeded, Jon Gruden, was another in that category as a past champion. Morris’ head coaching record could convince the Raiders that they need to look elsewhere.
However, with his own rings — as the Bucs’ defensive quality coach in 2002 and with the 2021 Rams — and a reputation as a players coach, Morris’ name is trending upward as a Raiders possibility.