The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams has been suspended because of his claims.
Sean McVay decided to return because he thought he “owed more” to the Rams.
ANGELES — Sean McVay stated on Friday that he had considered the long term effects of his choice to return to the Los Angeles Rams as head coach after taking some time off after the 2024 season.
For the first time since choosing to stay as the Rams’ coach, McVay spoke during a press conference, stating that it was “very essential” for him to make sure he was “making a decision that’s in alignment for years to come, not an every-year sort of situation.”
Since I know that’s probably something that people are wondering or asking questions about, I’m really committed to not having this become an annual narrative,” McVay stated.
And it’s not something I take lightly. The reflection was made for that reason. Because it was always clear that you wanted to coach once more.
Simply put, will you be able to maintain the right perspective to be the best version of yourself for the coaches and players? And going forward, I’m sure that can continue.”
At his January end-of-season news conference, McVay acknowledged that he wasn’t ready to call it quits as a coach and stated he would be taking “the necessary time” to make a decision.
In the 2022 offseason, McVay inked a contract extension that extends through the 2026 campaign, which is the same duration as the agreement General Manager Les Snead signed.
There have been previous discussions over McVay’s coaching future and his retirement. Questioned about his plans to return to Los Angeles in 2022 following the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI, McVay answered.
He said, “Let’s see.” When discussing how and why he doesn’t want this to be an annual discussion, McVay brought up that comment on Friday.
The Rams just finished with a 5-12 record, which is McVay’s worst losing season since joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
Although it wasn’t the sole factor in his decision to come back, McVay stated that the losing season was one of the reasons he didn’t want to leave the position this offseason.
“To suggest that, as a competitor, that’s something I would’ve felt okay leaving behind, no, I wouldn’t have felt good leaving behind a circumstance in which I believed I owed the people more than that,” McVay remarked.
McVay has communicated his commitment to the Rams front office. Snead stated on Thursday that he thought McVay’s decision to come back was for “a longer-term range.”
Snead declared, “I firmly believe Sean has made the proper decisions, taken a step back, and unquestionably has an action plan.”
“I believe that he considered more than only 2023 when he decided whether or not to coach in that year. Therefore, I don’t think Sean will decide whether or not to coach every year.
“Depending on if a position becomes available, I do believe there’s a chance you’ll hear his name on television each year.
However, I don’t think Sean will ignite that. I believe it’s a matter of his career stage, how much those networks value Sean, and perhaps their perception of his potential in a position involving color.
That may happen each year, but I don’t think Sean will ever consider if coaching is what he truly wants to do. I believe he worked that out throughout the course of this year.”
In the end, McVay stated that “reestablishing a purpose”—which resulted from “being reminded of what a blessing this is to be in this role”—was the “most significant thing” for him.
“Being able to accomplish this is a blessing,” McVay remarked. “I adore serving as a coach. I adore collaborating with coaches and athletes.
Furthermore, I believe that sometimes losing your way might cause you to lose perspective on things. And I’m truly appreciative of the time I got to think.”
