The X-Factor coach who has turned the Rams' defense into one of the NFL's best should be the next entry into Sean McVay's elite coaching tree

Joe Coniglio Has Made the Rams Pass Rush Dominant

What Coniglio has done turning the Rams' pass rush room around has been nothing short of incredible. When he was hired following the 2022 season, the Rams' pass rush was in dire straits. Bobby Wagner was second on the team in sacks in 2022, Leonard Floyd was off the team, and the Rams had little pass rush talent aside from Aaron Donald. Now, just two and a half seasons later, the Rams sit second in sacks and fourth in pressures in the league thanks to the work Coniglio has done.

His development of personnel has been exceptional. Byron Young was a raw, developmental pass rusher the Rams selected at the end of the third round in the 2023 NFL Draft. Every year, his game has taken significant leaps forward, and now in his third year, Young is in first place in the league for sacks, eighth in pressures, and his pass rush win rate since 11th. His win rate perfectly showcases his development, going from 8.7% as a rookie to 11.6% last season to 18.9% in his third year. Coniglio has played a significant role in developing Young from a raw athlete into one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL, and that deserves plenty of credit.

I would be remiss in discussing Coniglio's work without bringing up Jared Verse. While Verse was obviously a talented prospect in his own right, his immediate dominance in the pros is in no small part due to Coniglio's guidance. Verse is only behind Will Anderson as the top young pass rushers in the league, and Coniglio has been instrumental in developing him.

Coniglio's development of rookie Josaiah Stewart has also stood out. Stewart, an undersized high motor pass rusher at Michigan, has added some power rushes to his game, his pass rush plan overall has improved, and his instincts and awareness in the run game are much further ahead of other rookie pass rushers out there, and he has been an awesome #3 rusher behind Verse and Young.

There was some initial pushback on Coniglio coming from the college game, and his only resume point being a college roommate of McVay. However, he has more than earned a heap of praise for what he has done with the Rams' pass rush room, turning it from one of the worst parts of the team into one of the best in the league.

I would not be shocked to see Coniglio interview for defensive coordinator jobs around the league or be the first name the Rams turn to if Shula gets pulled away to be the head coach of another franchise. He has earned the right as one of the top young position coaches in the league.