Brain Trust Returns: Rams Expected To Extend Sean McVay And Les Snead

Sean McVay and Les Snead will not be leaving the Los Angeles Rams any time soon

The contract extensions aren't going to just players for the Los Angeles Rams. The brain trust of general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay is staying put as well.

According to Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, both McVay and Snead are also expected to receive contract extensions from ownership later on this offseason. Since arriving in 2017, McVay holds a 55-25 record. Snead has been the catalyst of making smart free agent signings and in-season trades that propelled Los Angeles to a pair of Super Bowl appearances in the last four years. 

Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay in the first half during the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay hoists the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay

Feb 14, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay speaks flanked by Vince Lombardi trophy during Super Bowl LVI winning coach and most valuable player press conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay

“They have an amazing working relationship,” Demoff told the Los Angeles Times Tuesday at the league owner meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. "You’d be foolish, when you look at how hard it is in this league to win, not to try to keep together a pair that’s done it really well.”

Both Snead and McVay received extensions after the Rams lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. The duo has two years remaining on the current deals. There has been no indication on how long the extensions are set to run for as of this time. 

McVay, 36, likely will become one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL on the new deal. Currently making $8.5 million a season, it is projected that he will earn over $10 million per season on the next contract, making him the third coach to earn a double-digit salary. 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick reportedly made $12 million last season. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll currently is making 11 million per year. 

Snead arrived in then-St. Louis in 2012 and built one of the more solid franchises over the last decade. Not only has he drafted high-end talents such as Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Todd Gurley and others, but free agency signings have come at good rates. The trades of picks have also helped the Rams become a perennial favorite each season in the NFC to hoist a Lombardi Trophy. 

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Les Snead

Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Les Snead

Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead speaks during Super Bowl LVI championship rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Les Snead

The Rams are looking to become the first time since New England (2003-04) to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Los Angeles is trending in the right direction after it was announced Tuesday that Donald would be returning this season instead of electing to retire. 

Donald, 30, contemplated walking away from the game if Los Angeles won Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals last month. McVay also was expected to be courted by multiple broadcasting companies to potentially leave coaching and become an analyst in the booth. 

“Maybe I would have done the TV stuff if Aaron retired,” McVay said while down in Palm Beach.