The Los Angeles Rams defense took a huge hit in the offseason when the team saw former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris leave for a head coaching opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons.
Morris was responsible for leading the defense during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI run, but head coach Sean McVay felt comfortable promoting Chris Shula to replace him. Shula has worked with several of the team’s defensive groupings and is familiar with the scheme that Morris ran.
While Shula made sense as a candidate on paper, it’ll be his first time calling a defense by himself which could lead to an adjustment period during the 2024 NFL season.
However, it looks like Los Angeles will be lending Shula some extra support as they’re set to hire former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai in a senior defensive role, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN:
#Rams expected to hire former #Eagles DC Sean Desai in a senior defensive role, per sources.
More experience for Sean McVay’s staff, as Desai is a two-time NFL coordinator. pic.twitter.com/XuOXaep7YQ
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 25, 2024
Desai’s got decades of experience as a defensive coach spanning between the collegiate and professional ranks. Before serving as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2023, Desai spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears in a variety of roles.
In 2022, Desai was Seattle’s assistant head coach and defensive assistant, while in Chicago he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021 after eight years in various positions.
Although the Eagles’ defense took a step back in 2023 and Desai was let go, he still is a notable addition to the coaching staff because of his experience. It remains to be seen what his day-to-day responsibilities will look like, but it appears he will be helping out the offense some as well, per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
The Rams are hiring Sean Desai, a source said (@JFowlerESPN initially reported), in what was described to me as a multi-faceted role that will work with the offense/offensive coaches from a defensive perspective. Rams have quietly staffed a job like this for a couple years.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) February 25, 2024
With how many defensive coaches McVay lost in the offseason, it’s a wise move to add someone like Desai to help out the transition. McVay is known for being able to spot talent in both players and coaches, and he obviously feels the addition of Desai will improve the organization.
Eric Henderson says leaving Rams was ‘no-brainer’ for him
Aside from losing Morris, the Rams also saw defensive line coach/run game coordinator Eric Henderson leave to take a co-defensive coordinator position at USC. Henderson was one of the best d-line coaches in the league, rebuilding the unit in 2023 after Los Angeles parted ways with several of their veterans.
After he was hired by the Trojans, Henderson explained why he made the decision to leave the Rams. He said that going to USC was a no-brainer for him because of the opportunity.
