Twitter reacts to Rams parting ways with Wade Phillips

Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams made the surprising decision to move on from Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. His contract was expiring this offseason and the Rams simply opted not to extend him for next season.

It’s the first major change to McVay’s staff since he joined the Rams in 2017, leaving the young head coach to find a replacement on the defensive side of the ball. This will be an important hire for McVay with so many changes coming to the defense this offseason, needing to find a coach who can capitalize on the talent and handle the turnover.

Twitter was stunned by the Rams’ decision to move on from Phillips, seeing it as a questionable move by McVay. Here’s how fans and media members reacted to the news.

The Rams’ defense made the jump from 17th in DVOA to ninth this year while their offense went from second to 16th. Naturally, the defensive coordinator lost his job. https://t.co/R3cjEpbEKC

— Sean Wagner-McGough (@seanjwagner) January 6, 2020

Sad to see Wade go. The man is a national treasure who still adores what he does. https://t.co/SY2dsEXwwO

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 6, 2020

The 2019 L.A. Rams defense finished No. 9 in DVOA. Season wasn’t lost on Wade Phillips' side of the ball. Guessing McVay just wanted to reboot with someone younger.

— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) January 6, 2020

Really feel for Wade. Maybe his best defense with the #Rams and is a year removed from coordinating one of the best defensive performances against arguably the greatest postseason QB of all time.

— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) January 6, 2020

Stunned to see the Rams get rid of Wade Phillips. Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Joe Barry, who was considered a possible USC DC candidate, could very well be an option to replace him.

— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) January 6, 2020

Someone looking to fix their defense quickly should snap up Wade. Dude has orchestrated more quick turnarounds than any other DC. https://t.co/lLgJtQeDVI

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 6, 2020

I'm old enough to remember when Wade Phillips was the stabilizing force in the coaching wunderkind that was Sean McVay.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 6, 2020

Wow. Grandpa Wade out. https://t.co/vHP9ftPsyN

— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) January 6, 2020

Wade Phillips' departure became inevitable when the Rams fired his D-line coach, Bill Johnson, without consulting him last year. Phillips remains one of the most respected defensive minds in the game and should have options if he wants to continue coaching.

— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) January 6, 2020

I can’t imagine a world in which Wade would leave the NFL, where he’s been FOREVER, to have to recruit. So let’s nip this one in the bud right now. https://t.co/KPwnAZAwgr

— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) January 6, 2020

3. Something interesting: I truly believe that when Sean McVay went through the experience of seeing New England largely change its stripes in the Super Bowl in terms of how it attacked the Rams, it gave him some food for thought in terms of being able to turn a scheme on a dime.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) January 6, 2020