The Los Angeles Rams have become a team for others to model themselves after, and the exodus of talent from the organization in recent years is evidence of that. The latest Rams contributor who could be headed out the door is John McKay.
McKay has become a vital asset to the Rams, and specifically to general manager Les Snead.
The Rams have been forced down this path with McKay before, but the lure could be stronger this time around.
Rams AGM John McKay on Vikings’ GM Radar
GettyJohn McKay would reunite with Kevin O’Connell if hired by the Minnesota Vikings.
McKay is heading into his 10th season with the Rams, where he began as a scouting assistant in 2016. With former fellow LA front office member James Gladstone seeing instant success with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, McKay’s stock appears high as ever.
“The Vikings requested an interview with Rams assistant general manager John McKay for their GM job, per source,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported in a post on X on May 9. “McKay — son of longtime NFL exec Rich McKay and grandson of the late coach John McKay — is in his 10th season in L.A., where he worked with Kevin O’Connell.”
McKay is one of several prospective candidates for the vacancy.
— Rob Brzezinski — Terrance Gray (BUF) — Dave Ziegler (TEN) — R.J. Gillen (SF) — John McKay (LAR) — Nolan Teasley (SEA) — Chad Alexander (LAC)
Personnel background prominent. Most known as hidden talent within teams.
McKay has also held roles as the Rams’ director of pro personnel and assistant director of pro scouting during his tenure.
“McKay helps manage the process for all player arrivals and departures. He also evaluates all 32 rosters prior to free agency, writes advance scouting reports for upcoming opponents and evaluates college players prior to the draft,” McKay’s bio page entry on the Rams’ official website reads.
“McKay joined the Rams as a scouting assistant in 2016. During that season, he evaluated players and submitted reports. McKay also tracked player news during the year and entered the information into the scouting database among numerous other specifically assigned tasks.”
The Miami Dolphins requested McKay for their vacancy in January.
That job went to Jon-Eric Sullivan, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, but it signaled that McKay’s time is likely coming.
Vikings a Unique Opportunity
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings are in an interesting spot amid their interest in John McKay.
While McKay would be reuniting with O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2020 and their Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, other aspects of the Vikings’ opening could be cause for pause.
The Vikings fired former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Long-time NFL exec Rob Brzezinski has acted as interim GM during the draft process and free agency.
McKay, or any other hire outside of Brzezinski, would be stepping into a built roster.
The Vikings won 14 games two years ago, and they still managed nine victories in an injury-marred 2025 campaign. However, many new lead executives prefer to remake their new rosters in their image.
Minnesota’s roster–as well as its coaching staff–is already largely in place, with the next opportunity to reshape the group not coming until the 2027 season.
Any new hire could frame Year 1 as an evaluation, which could still attract options like McKay.
For the Rams, identifying new talent from within to replace those on their way out has been the key to success, right behind having Snead and head coach Sean McVay at the helm in the front office and on the field, respectively.
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