Rams’ Raheem Morris Ranked Among NFL’s Best Defensive Coaches

Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator Raheem Morris remains one of the most respected coaches in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams' trade of three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in March was a sign that at a minimum, they're retooling on defense, if not altogether rebuilding. That will leave defensive coordinator Raheem Morris with his work cut out in 2023, as the Rams attempt to rebound from a disappointing 5-12 campaign a season ago.

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Rams' linebackers and secondary as the worst units in the NFL entering the 2023 season, which may make it almost impossible for Morris to coordinate even a league-average defense this upcoming season. Still, PFF ranked Morris as the seventh-best defensive coordinator in the NFL ahead of 2023, perhaps a reminder that whatever struggles happen on that side of the ball for the Rams this season, it's not because they don't have the right coach in place: 

"As the Rams' defensive coordinator since 2021, Morris helped orchestrate a defense that won a Super Bowl in his first season there. In his two seasons helming the defense in LA, the Rams’ 88.2 overall defensive grade ranks second in the league and their 90.0 run-defense grade is far and away the best mark."

While it feels like Morris has been around for forever, he's still only 46. He was perhaps too green when given the chance to succeed Jon Gruden as the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, ultimately posting a 17-31 record leading a team without a ton of talent before being dismissed. 

But when the Falcons fired Dan Quinn after an 0-5 start in 2020, Morris looked more than up to the task, guiding Atlanta to a 4-7 record as interim coach. Despite that, the Falcons elected to hire externally after the season, picking former Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to be their next coach, rather than stripping the interim tag off of Morris' title. 

Whether it's a chance to eventually succeed Sean McVay in Los Angeles or somewhere else, it does feel like Morris will get another opportunity to lead a team at some point. And if he can make chicken salad in 2023 with the defensive talent he's been handed, said opportunity could come as soon as next season. 

You can follow Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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