Rams ‘Genius’ Raheem Morris: NFL’s Top Coach Candidate?

The Los Angeles Rams defense was better than some expected this season, and as a result, a lot of teams in need of a head coach might look toward Raheem Morris.

After setting the record for the most losses by a defending Super Bowl champion last season, the Los Angeles Rams clinched a playoff spot this season with a 10-7 mark. And a lot of the team's success is due to the surprising play by the team's young defense.

The Rams' defense had a lot of key performers this season, many of whom were kids. Rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner tied Aaron Donald for the rookie franchise record for sacks in a season. And third-year linebacker Ernest Jones set the franchise record for total tackles in a season. All of this was not necessarily expected, and is due in no small part to defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

USA Today Sports

"It’s been awesome because we kind of started the process, right?” Morris said recently. “Last year at the end we got to see some young people go out there and play with the same football team that we planned coming up here.

“Some of those guys have emerged as...whether we want to call it leaders, or guys that kind of hold the banner high. And to watch those guys grow in the offseason and to watch them really earn their respect from themselves, from their teammates, from their coaches, to put themselves in the position to go out there and play, it has been absolutely outstanding."

Morris came into this year with a defense that had lost many of its key performers, most notable being Leonard Floyd and Jalen Ramsey. And as a result of the team's improbable success on defense this season, Morris is being looked at by a number of different teams as a candidate for their next head coach.

Morris has already been tabbed by the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers. And with a lot of teams looking for a new head coach, including the Tennessee Titans who fired Mike Vrabel early on Tuesday, Morris is going to be a popular man in the coming weeks.

'Excited' Matthew Stafford Knows Detroit 'Will Be Rocking' For His Return

Morris deserves all of the attention that he has been getting, and whatever team ends up with him will be getting a guy who has had experience. Morris was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, and has been around the block.

But before teams can snatch up Morris, he has a defense to lead in the first round of the playoffs. The Rams will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 14 against Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. Coach Sean McVay and Morris will go into this game looking to defy expectations and beat one of the best teams in the NFC.

"He's been the same great coach that I've always known. He's a great leader. He elevates people and situations that he's a part of and I think that's the greatest sign of leadership," McVay said about Morris. "We always talk about trying to help guys reach and realize their highest potential. I think we're seeing a lot of growth and development from a lot of people that he has an influence on."