Report: High-ranking league officials excited about rising Rams coach
Those in the commissioner's office are excited about Nate Scheelhaase's promotion to OC and are rooting for him as a head coaching candidate.
After Mike LaFleur was hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, the Los Angeles Rams replaced him by promoting Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator . Scheelhaase interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs this offseason and is seen as one of the top young coaches in the league, so the Rams were fortunate to retain him. Sean McVay and the Rams aren’t the only ones excited about his promotion.
Those in the league office are, too. According to Jordan Reid of ESPN , league officials at the annual owners meetings in Phoenix were happy to see Scheelhaase’s rise to OC in L. A.
After only one coach of color was picked in a record-tying hiring cycle with 10 head coaching openings, high-ranking league officials in Phoenix were understandably excited about Nate Scheelhaase's promotion to Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator. Scheelhaase is biracial, and the league wants to see more coaches of color hired across the NFL. As a result, many decision-makers in the commissioner’s office are “privately rooting for Scheelhaase to be an even more prominent candidate for top openings during the next hiring cycle,” according to Reid.
As much as McVay prefers to retain coaches and keep continuity on his staff each year – something that’s become difficult for the Rams – he also loves to see his assistants get more prominent roles elsewhere. His coaching tree has grown exponentially in recent years, with former assistants such as Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell and Brandon Staley all becoming head coaches. Scheelhaase is expected to be next in line, especially if he can help the Rams’ top-ranked offense continue to improve in 2026.