The Los Angeles Rams coaching staff will look a lot different in 2023. Although Sean McVay will be returning as head coach, he either lost or got rid of a number of members of his staff.
The big change will be at offensive coordinator with Liam Coen leaving to return to the University of Kentucky and Mike LaFleur coming in as his replacement.
Now that the big role is filled, McVay can begin filling out the rest of his staff. One of the big openings is at offensive line coach with the organization recently interviewing John Benton, formerly of the New York Jets.
It appears the Rams will be going in a different direction though as Dan Graziano of ESPN is reporting they will hire Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Ryan Wendell in the same role:
Bills assistant OL coach Ryan Wendell is leaving to become the Rams’ offensive line coach, per sources.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 9, 2023
Wendell is a 36-year-old former offensive lineman who should fit in well on McVay’s staff. He originally went undrafted in 2008 out of Fresno State, signing with the New England Patriots.
After spending some time on the practice squad, he played 15 games in 2010 and hen became a full-time starter in 2012. Throughout his career, Wendell started 49 games and played in 80 total with most of them coming at center.
It’s no secret that the Rams’ offensive line struggled greatly in 2022, so it will be a tall task for Wendell to turn that group around in 2023. Injuries obviously played a huge part in those struggles though, so hopefully he has a healthy group to work with.
With an offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach now in the fold, McVay’s offensive staff is starting together for the 2023 season.
