The Rams will take the expected route of promoting from inside to fill the offensive coordinator spot. Nate Scheelhaase is in position to tackle an elevated role in 2026.
Scheelhaase is being promoted to the role of offensive coordinator, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He’ll function Mike LaFleur‘s alternative because of this. Schefter adds that quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone will maintain his current role while also having co-offensive coordinator added to his title.
During a head coaching hiring cycle dominated by staffers with a defensive background, Scheelhaase stood out. The 35-year-old has seen his stock rise considerably during a temporary period. Only in place with the Rams since 2024 – his first foray into coaching on the NFL level – Scheelhaase was one of the crucial popular targets for HC interviews across the league last month.
After starting out at Illinois in 2015, Scheelhaase worked his way up the ladder on the NCAA level. He spent six years at Iowa State, working because the team’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach in 2023. That was followed by an arrival on Sean McVay‘s staff, something which has quickly resulted in an OC gig within the NFL. McVay will little doubt retain play-calling duties moving forward, but Scheelhaase will tackle added responsibilities for 2026. He’ll look to develop into the most recent member of the McVay coaching tree to raise his standing across the league and land the chance to guide a staff elsewhere.
Ragone had been the one coach connected to the Rams’ OC emptiness since LaFleur departed to take charge of the Cardinals. After three years because the Falcons’ offensive coordinator under Arthur Smith, Ragone joined the Rams as their quarterbacks coach. He has played a key role in Matthew Stafford‘s ability to stay highly productive deep into his profession, including an MVP campaign in 2025. The 2 will proceed working together for a minimum of yet one more yr, but Ragone, 46, may even tackle OC responsibilities for the primary time since 2023.
The Rams averaged 30.5 points per game this season, good for first within the NFL. With Stafford set to return – likely on one other reworked contract – expectations will remain very high for the unit. Continued efficiency would go a great distance in setting Los Angeles up for one more deep playoff run, and it might help Scheelhaase’s stock rise even further. A powerful yr with the title of offensive coordinator would little doubt lead to a different wave of HC interest throughout the 2027 hiring cycle.