Two of the most recognizable names on the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff (besides Sean McVay) won’t be back with the team in 2020. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ contract expired and was not renewed by the Rams. Special teams coordinator John Fassel’s contract also came to an end, and it didn’t take him long to find a new landing spot as he’s expected to be hired by the Cowboys to join Mike McCarthy’s staff.
It’s unclear if the Rams tried to retain Fassel by extending his contract or if they were willing to let him leave like Phillips, but either way, this is bad news for Los Angeles. “Bones” is an outstanding special teams coach and it’s easy to see why McCarthy wanted to bring him to Dallas to hopefully fix the Cowboys’ underperforming special teams unit.
While it’ll be difficult to replace Phillips and Fassel with coaches of the same caliber, these departures will have a ripple effect on the Rams’ free agents. Three key starters on defense will hit free agency in March, as will Greg Zuerlein and JoJo Natson (RFA).
The front office and head coach have the ultimate say in who returns and who leaves, but the new coordinators will also have some input on those players – or, at least they should.
Will new DC change scheme from 3-4 to 4-3?
If the Rams promote from within by elevating either Aubrey Pleasant or Joe Barry, a switch to a 4-3 defense seems highly unlikely. However, if McVay hires an outside candidate, a change to the defensive front can’t be ruled out.
On paper, it’s hard to see the Rams switching to a 4-3 defense. If Dante Fowler Jr. leaves, that would give the defense very little talent at defensive end; Clay Matthews, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Samson Ebukam all fit better as outside linebackers in a 3-4.
The Rams would also have to rely on inside linebackers more often in a 4-3 scheme. Last season, they really only played Cory Littleton there with an extra defensive back taking the other linebacker’s place. Troy Reeder, Micah Kiser and Travin Howard would all be candidates to fit in a 4-3 defense, but their snap counts will increase dramatically if the Rams make the switch. That may not be something Los Angeles feels comfortable with.
A move to a 4-3 would also impact Michael Brockers, who wouldn’t be a great fit in that scheme after shedding weight to fit in the Rams’ current 3-4 defense. He may no longer have the size or bulk to hold up full-time at nose tackle in a 4-3.
Will Phillips’ replacement prioritize an inside linebacker over a pass rusher?
Littleton and Fowler are two of the Rams’ biggest free agents. They probably won’t be able to keep both unless they each take less money than market value, so the front office and coaching staff will have to decide which one they want to make a push to re-sign. Phillips has frequently gotten the most out of inside linebackers in his scheme and didn’t often need a high-priced player to fit the defense at that spot.
It’s possible if Phillips remained, he would have convinced the front office and McVay that he could make his defense work without Littleton.
As for Fowler, pass rushers are always more coveted than inside linebackers. Fowler isn’t on the top tier with the best in the NFL, but 11.5 sacks is impressive and will undoubtedly earn him a hefty contract in free agency.
Whoever the Rams hire may not view Fowler as a great fit for his defense. Or, he might see Littleton as replaceable and prioritize having an emerging pass rusher instead. Either way, the new defensive coordinator will play a role in how these two players are handled.
Will next ST coordinator seek a change at kicker?
Zuerlein is coming off his worst season since 2015, making just 72.7% of his field goal attempts after making 87.1%, 95%, and 86.4% in the last three seasons, respectively. He did make all of his extra point attempts, which is encouraging, but it’s impossible to ignore Zuerlein’s struggles – especially from the critical distance of 40-49 yards (5-for-11).
Zuerlein came into the NFL with Fassel as his special teams coordinator and worked with him in each of the last eight years. He’s the only coordinator Zuerlein’s ever known, but that will change in 2020. With free agency looming, will Fassel’s replacement want to keep Zuerlein around? Or will he want to bring in his own kicker?
Again, the special teams coordinator isn’t the only decision-maker in this process, but he’s definitely going to have a say in the Rams’ kicker next season. Zuerlein’s price came down after his disappointing 2019 season, but maybe not enough for the Rams to feel comfortable extending him.
