The Los Angeles Rams have another road test coming up this weekend against the Chicago Bears, but a few of their coaches will be studying to potentially take over their own teams for the 2026 season.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula and pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase each have multiple interviews for head-coaching roles this week ahead of their Divisional Round game Sunday against the Bears.
The Rams, of course, advanced with a 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday in Charlotte. They have won at least one playoff game for the fifth time in the past eight seasons under coach Sean McVay.
Chris Shula Is Interviewing With Five Teams For Their Head Coaching Roles
Shula has a lot working in his favor. Of course, his pedigree — as the third generation of Shulas behind arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time, Don Shula — is working in his favor.
But the soon-to-be 40-year-old, who took over for Raheem Morris in 2024 when he became the Atlanta Falcons head coach, has presided over a top-10 defense in his second season as Rams DC. That’s part of the reason why he will interview with five teams for their vacant head-coach spots — there are only eight teams presently with head-coach openings.
“Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula has head coach interview requests from Miami, Tennessee, the NY Giants, Las Vegas and Arizona,” Adam Schefter posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning.
The Rams are sure to let Shula interview with each team, though if he has time to speak with all five this week will remain to be seen. Shula has never been a head coach at any level to date.
Shula will need to prepare for Ben Johnson’s high-octane offense, which put up 441 points during the regular season and is scoring about 28 points per game over its past five, including the 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Soldier Field in the Wild Card Round.
Nate Scheelhaase Has Three Interview Requests
Of course, the Rams offense is the team’s calling card, so it’s no surprise their assistants are getting inquiries to fill head coaching spots.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals are planning to interview Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, the brother of Packers coach Matt LaFleur. But the Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens are all requesting Scheelhaase’s availability to speak for their head-coaching roles, according to Schefter.
Scheelhaase is just 35 and is only in his second season coaching in the NFL. Before coaching in LA, he climbed the ranks at Iowa State to become the offensive coordinator in Ames in 2023.
The Rams led the NFL in points per game (30.5) and put up 34 points Saturday, the most of any playoff team this weekend.
Aside from speaking for their head-coaching roles, Scheelhaase could be in consideration for an offensive coordinator spot with any of the teams he is interviewing. He could also be in line for the Rams OC role if LaFleur gets hired away during this cycle.
Scheelhaase interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator spot last year yet remained in LA after they hired Liam Coen to be their head coach.
Rams Coaches Have Busy Week of Job Interviews After Wild Card Win Over Panthers