Rams Brain Drain Now Predicted To Continue In 2026

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Shula is hardly an overnight success. Since joining Sean McVay’s staff in 2017, he has served in a variety of roles—assistant linebackers coach, defensive backs coach, pass rush coordinator—before ultimately being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2024. The breadth of that experience has shaped the defense’s adaptability, something Shula emphasizes when discussing his approach.

“You always want versatile guys,” Shula explained earlier this season. “We’re fortunate that we have a lot of those guys that can do a lot of things. If you think of all the stuff that [Safety Jaylen] ‘Tank’ McCollough, [Safety] Quentin Lake does for us, that [Cornerback] Cobie Durant does for us, guys like that. There are guys that have certain elite traits and we always talk about putting guys in the best position to do what they do best.”

That philosophy has translated into results. Against Houston, Durant snagged an interception while McCollough logged a sack, the latest examples of Shula’s defense maximizing individual strengths in a collective system.

A Legacy Name, A Modern Voice

Of course, the Shula name carries its own weight. Chris is the son of former Bengals head coach Dave Shula and the grandson of Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. Nearly three decades after Don Shula’s final season in Miami, his grandson is orchestrating a modern “No-Name Defense” in Los Angeles, built around castoffs, mid-round draft picks, and undrafted players who have quickly grown into a cohesive unit.

“It feels like we’ve been growing together as a unit,” Shula reflected. “The highs and the lows, we’re all in it together. When you experience some of those lows together, and then you have those highs, it definitely makes it that much more special.”

That connection has earned Shula the trust of his locker room, a quality that scouts and executives weigh heavily when projecting future head coaches.

The McVay Coaching Tree Expands

If Shula does make the jump, he’d be the latest in a long line of McVay assistants to graduate into head coaching roles. Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor, Kevin O’Connell, and Raheem Morris all cut their teeth with McVay before getting their own teams. Even Brandon Staley, though now a defensive coordinator in New Orleans, parlayed his one year in L.A. into a head coaching opportunity.

The possibility of losing Shula underscores the ongoing challenge for McVay: success often breeds turnover. With offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and assistants like quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone and secondary specialist Aubrey Pleasant also drawing attention, the Rams could again face a coaching exodus in 2026.

A Fit Beyond Los Angeles Rams?

Speculation has already linked Shula to potential openings around the league. Miami, in particular, is an intriguing hypothetical. With their cap sheet strained and a rebuild looming, the Dolphins could be tempted by both the symbolism of the Shula name and the tactical creativity Chris has shown with limited resources.

Whether Miami or another franchise comes calling, the narrative is difficult to resist: the grandson of Don Shula, leading his own defense with the same blend of discipline and innovation that once defined an era of NFL football.

What’s Next For Chris Shula

For now, Shula insists his focus is squarely on the Rams’ season. Los Angeles is 2-0 and riding one of the league’s best defenses. But around the NFL, the buzz is growing louder: if this continues, the Rams’ defensive architect may not be in Los Angeles much longer.