Rams’ Sean McVay Will Return For 2023 Season amid Retirement Rumors | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Amid speculation that he may retire after a difficult 2022 season, Sean McVay is returning for a seventh season as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles Rams @RamsNFL
Sean McVay informed the team that he is excited to be back next season.
Injuries and a depleted roster destroyed the Rams’ hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions. Their 12 losses were the most in a season by the reigning champions.
NFL on CBS 🏈 @NFLonCBS
Rams
2021: Win the Super Bowl
2022: Sets new record for most losses (11) by a defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history pic.twitter.com/ObtQqOw5Qb
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported before Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks that McVay’s future was “in limbo” and he would take time to make a decision.
There were some indications that McVay was at least considering not returning for the 2023 season. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (adam Rittenberg ih/t ESPN.com) reported last month that Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen was expected to take the same position at the University of Kentucky next season, a move that is now official.
McVay teased retirement after leading Los Angeles to a victory in Super Bowl 56.
“We’ll see,” McVay told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times in February when asked about returning for the 2022 season. “I’m just enjoying the moment right now. I’m so happy to be a part of it. Happy about it. “
After McVay committed to returning as the Rams’ coach for the season, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that the 36-year-old had a deal with Amazon to be the color commentator for Football Night Football, and the tech giant was willing to offer him a five-year, $100 million contract.
While the opportunity to become a broadcaster will almost certainly be available whenever McVay decides to leave, he’s likely counting on a bounce-back season in 2023.
The Rams are in a tricky spot in terms of significantly upgrading their roster for next season. They’re projected to be $3 million over the cap right now and don’t have a first-round draft pick stemming from the Matthew Stafford trade.
One reason the Rams could be back in contention in 2023 is better injury luck. Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald combined to miss 22 games this season. No player in that trio appeared in a game after Week 12.
Stafford has already committed to playing next season amid rumors he was considering retirement. Donald, who considered retirement after the Super Bowl victory, told NBC Sports’ Peter King in August that he plans to play at least through the end of the 2023 season.
If the Rams’ core group of players returns, including Jalen Ramsey and Bobby Wagner, they could have a quick turnaround now that McVay is back.
McVay is already one of the most successful coaches in Rams history. His 60 wins are the third most in club history, behind John Robinson (75) and Chuck Knox (69). His seven postseason wins are the most in Rams history.
