Rams Announce Coaching Move Amid NFL Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Rafter | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 10:05 AM ET

The 2025 NFL season ended in heartbreak for head coach Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams, as eventual Super Bowl winners the Seattle Seahawks put his team to the sword in the NFC Championship Game.

Despite that playoff disappointment, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford enjoyed one of his best campaigns to date — throwing for an NFL-high 46 touchdowns in the regular season and six in the postseason. McVay, along with his coaching unit, maximized their signal-caller’s performances from September to January.

However, the NFL offseason has seen a wave of coaching maneuvers across the league, and the departure of former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take the head coaching vacancy at the Arizona Cardinals means Stafford will operate under new leadership in 2026.

The good news is this: Stafford already has a solid relationship with the next offensive coordinator and co-offensive coordinator.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes in the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

As reported by NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Rams are promoting passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator. Scheelhaase joined McVay’s staff in 2024 and, after interviewing for the head coaching role with five different teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns, this offseason and will continue his tenure in Los Angeles through this promotion.

Sources: the Los Angeles Rams are promoting pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, and making QB coach Dave Ragone the co-offensive coordinator/QB coach.

Scheelhaase interviewed for five head coaching jobs during this hiring cycle.

But now, the NFL’s… pic.twitter.com/HUBvupLIFT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2026

Meanwhile, quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone will also enter a new position in 2026, operating as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

These internal coaching moves are positive not only for Stafford, who will benefit from deeper collaboration with coaches who have already proven effective with the Rams, but also his backups.

In particular, Ragone is renowned for nurturing roster talent — with McVay previously highlighting the 46-year-old’s ability to integrate "rhythm and routine” for starters and backup players.

“I think what he [Ragone] does a great job of is he's able to really reach that person with the most experience while also accommodating to somebody that's getting familiar with it,” explained McVay last summer.

That flexibility is increasingly pertinent for a Rams team that has been tipped to select a young man under center during the 2026 NFL Draft. Alabama Crimson Tide’s Ty Simpson has been linked to two-time Super Bowl-winning franchise.

With Stafford confirmed to return in 2026 and both Scheelhaase and Ragone earning internal promotions, Los Angeles appears well-placed to build on last season’s deep playoff run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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