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Los Angeles Rams Coach Sean McVay Opens Up About Steve Avila Move to Center

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay explained the move of left guard Steve Avila to center for the upcoming season.

Matt Galatzan

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Rams made a massive signing during the free agency period, signing former Detroit Lions left guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year $51 million deal.

But with that deal, left questions surrounding the team's 2023 starter at left guard, Steve Avila. Fortunately for the Rams, Avila has a versatile background, playing multiple positions during his time at TCU in college.

Part of that versatility came at center, where Rams head coach Sean McVay plans to move Avila for the upcoming season.

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“He’s a guy that loves being in the building," McVay told the team website. "Like I was talking about earlier, you don’t need to go from A to Z, let’s just take the incremental steps. Let’s continue to learn, with the right foundational understanding of what are we trying to get done. What are you looking at? What are the things that are important to be able to communicate?”

With the new move to center for Avila, the Rams will have a massive and dominant trio across the middle of the offensive line, with Jackson, Avila, and Kevin Dotson averaging 6-foot-4 and 312.3 pounds between the three of them.

And according to McVay, no matter where Avila lines up, he has the talent to excel, thanks in large part to his athleticism and balance.

“He’s got an amazing athleticism for a big player,” McVay said. “I think he’s got the natural ability to play on the left or the right side of the line, be another lefty center for us.”

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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