Sean McVay of the Rams hopes Raheem Morris, the in-demand coordinator, returns to Los Angeles for the upcoming season.

 

 

 

speaks to the media following an NFL wild-card playoff football match on Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Detroit, versus the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Paul Sancya/AP) On Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Detroit, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay observes from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football matchup versus the Detroit Lions. (Duane Burleson/AP Photo) Sean McVay is aware that the coaching carousel may remove a valuable member of his staff, though. While acknowledging that defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is among the more ideal candidates to take any of the seven head coaching positions available in the NFL, McVay expects to have Morris return for the upcoming season. McVay stated on Wednesday, “There could be some adjustments if Raheem gets an opportunity that I think is well earned and long overdue.” In his three seasons as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, Morris, 47, went 17–31. In 2020, he also took on the role of interim coach for the Atlanta Falcons. A two-time Super Bowl champion as a coordinator, he had one of his best coaching efforts this year when the Rams reorganized their defense to center defensive end Aaron Donald around young, inexpensive free agents. McVay stated, “It would be really bittersweet because he is such a unique leader and so deserving of a chance to lead a club.” “But there will be a very careful, methodical, and deliberate process if we do end up losing Raheem.” According to McVay, openings from outside sources would be the only way to alter the coaching staff. Eric Henderson, a well-known defensive line coach, became the co-defensive coordinator at Southern California on Monday. “It’s possible that certain pieces may fall into place in regards to Raheem being given the chance to lead the team,” McVay stated. Other than that, McVay’s attention will be on enhancing a team that surprised everyone by going 10-7 during the regular season and then falling 24-23 to the Detroit Lions in Sunday’s NFC wild-card playoff game. “I’m extremely thrilled and driven because we’ll have some resources like draft money and some freedom to be able to acquire certain guys or re-sign others that weren’t granted to us last year,” McVay remarked. Matthew Stafford, the quarterback, has already promised to return to Los Angeles for a fourth season, and McVay believes the club will keep its word. “Definitely, without a doubt, sure,” McVay said. “We are fully committed to having him lead us next year, and we are ready to go with him.” The next season, Stafford could have a new backup. Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round draft choice, was scheduled for that position but was sidelined for the whole season due to an injury or sickness. It’s too early to tell, according to McVay, whether the former Georgia standout will be able to take part in off-season exercises. McVay stated, “I would not be in a position to answer it precisely right now, but I think he’s doing better.” It is logical to assume that tight end Tyler Higbee may begin the upcoming season on the physically unable-to-perform list after McVay confirmed that Higbee had torn his ACL and MCL late in the Lions game. Kyren Williams, a standout running back, had surgery on Tuesday to fix a fractured hand bone. McVay had to postpone his farewell talk with the media due to sickness, so he was waiting to hear whether any more players had offseason surgery.