Sean McVay is coming off the best season of his coaching career. He led the Los Angeles Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI after going 12-5 in the regular season, reaching the pinnacle of the football world in just his fifth year as a head coach.
After flirting with a jump to broadcasting, McVay is back with the Rams and fully committed to repeating as world champions. And despite the short turnaround from the end of last year, McVay feels refreshed going into Year 6.
We caught up with McVay recently for an exclusive interview on behalf of the coach’s partnership with Campbell’s Chunky Soup, teaming up to make a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross in support of Ukraine.
In the interview, McVay discussed how he’s become a better coach thanks to Matthew Stafford, why the quarterback will only improve in 2022, the signing of Bobby Wagner (despite not viewing linebacker as a need), young Rams players who could step up and the status of the pass rush – among other topics.
Is there any difference you can see with Matthew Stafford from last year’s OTAs to this year?
McVay: “I think the number one thing would be that the first couple weeks, he’s such a quick study. He’s as smart as any player I’ve ever been around. He’s such a quick study and for him to seamlessly come in and play the way he did. Now, I think it’s really, truly being able to – and he did this last year – be an extension of the coaching staff. The main thing is not necessarily his comfort level, because I thought he got comfortable right away, but me being able to do a better job of understanding how to call plays and having his skill set come to life snap in and snap out. He’s changed a lot of the ways that I see the game because he’s such a smart player. I’ve become a better coach for being around him. I think the way he leads by being able to authentically connect with his teammates is something that’s really special. He’s as fun a…