Sean McVay On Ex Los Angeles Rams Coach Thomas Brown Becoming Play Caller: 'Ultimate Competitor!'

Former Los Angeles Rams assistant coach Thomas Brown was recently named the Carolina Panthers' play caller, which came as no surprise to Sean McVay.

Sean McVay's coaching tree is quite expansive at this point, and it keeps growing more and more.

While none of McVay's pupils were hired as head coaches this offseason, one still made an important rise up the NFL coaching ladder. Thomas Brown, the Rams' assistant head coach and tight ends coach, was hired as the Carolina Panthers' offensive coordinator in February. Then on Monday, Brown received another promotion of sorts when the Panthers named him their new offensive play caller, replacing head coach Frank Reich in the role.

To McVay, seeing his former assistant earning such an honor came as no surprise.

Brown during his time with the Rams / Tony Avelar, Associated Press

“I think it's just his everyday approach," McVay told reporters Monday. "He had great experience when we first got connected, but I remember watching Thomas when we played against each other in high school. He was one of the ultimate competitors. He's always trying to just continue to perfect his craft."

Brown coached in L.A. for three seasons, serving a different role each year. He started as the running backs coach in 2020, then added assistant head coach to his resume in 2021 and finally becoming the assistant head coach and tight ends coach in 2022.

After praising Brown's mindset, McVay assured reporters that his former pupil is more than ready for this new challenge.

"He's ahead of the curve. He'll be ready for it. He's called plays before and I'm very confident that he'll do a really nice job.”

At the very least, Brown's offense should look pretty familiar to Rams fans. In the spring, a report came out that the Panthers were taking inspiration from McVay's offense with the Rams in an effort to help ease in No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Now that a former Rams coach is calling the plays, that influence should only become more obvious.

Getting results may be difficult, as the Panthers are the league's last winless team at 0-6 on the season. Hopefully for Carolina's sake, a change in play caller can bring about more success.