Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams can check one important item off their list of concerns as they enter the 2026 offseason.
The Rams’ season ended in disappointment, cut short by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, and they face a host of significant roster decisions before they try to start a new journey in 2026.
McVay can celebrate this latest development, though.
Sean McVay, Rams Keeping Key Contributor
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during warm-ups before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
McVay and the Rams are back to working behind the scenes, but they can celebrate one change they will not need to make this offseason.
“The Browns notified Rams assistant Nate Scheelhaase this AM they were going in a different direction [Todd Monken],” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on X on January 28. “He plans to stay with the Rams and be a factor next cycle.”
Sheelhaase’s candidacy came as a surprise, but so did the Browns’ decision.
A former quarterback at Illinois and an assistant at Iowa State, Scheelhaase is returning for a third season with the Rams, who are not out of the woods just yet.
There are two head coaching vacancies remaining, with the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders yet to fill their voids. However, Scheelhaase has been linked to other opportunities that would still be a promotion.
He interviewed with the Buffalo Bills for their HC opening that went to incumbent OC Joe Brady.
Scheelhaase was also a potential candidate to join the Philadelphia Eagles or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he will remain with McVay and the Rams for at least one more season.
Rams Make Attention-Grabbing Request
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay on the field during training camp.
McVay and the Rams already changed special teams coordinators during the season, firing Chase Blackburn and replacing him with assistant Ben Kotwica. However, after special teams gaffes during the postseason, the Rams are eyeing further changes.
They fire Kotwica and assistants Mike Harris and Matthew Harper, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson.
Their latest target certainly piqued interest. Moreover, they can thank the Browns’ decision to hire Monken for making their efforts a realistic possibility.
“The Rams put in a request to interview Bubba Ventrone for their special teams coordinator job, per sources,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on January 28. “Ventrone, who is regarded as one of the NFL’s best, is not expected to stay on Todd Monken’s staff.
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager posted that it “would be a big score for LA. One of the more respected ST coaches in the league. Has had HC interviews in previous years.”
Ventrone played eight seasons in the NFL.
He spent four seasons with the Browns, playing in 56 games. Ventrone spent two seasons with the Rams’ NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, playing in 24 contests. He has also had coaching stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
Rams Coach Gets Bad Review
GettyLos Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Scheelhaase’s decision to remain on McVay’s staff stands out in light of reports about his colleague and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Shula also garnered head coaching interest.
However, the Rams’ defense surrendered 27 points in two of their three playoff games, including the NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks.
Then, the legacy coach hit the interview track.
“Report: Rams DC Chris Shula did not interview well for the Steelers HC job,” 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillippono reported on X on January 26, citing sources with knowledge of the virtual meeting. “In fact, one person went as far as to say he ‘bombed’ the interview.”
McVay has had several assistants go on to successful careers elsewhere, and Shula could very well redeem himself next season.
Still, having that consistency could be beneficial for the Rams.
Rams Make Attention-Grabbing Move After Getting Good News