​The pairing of defensive coordinator Chris Shula and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase for the Los Angeles Rams ranked among the top coordinator duos in football, according to Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano. Only the Denver Broncos’ duo of Davis Webb and Vance Joseph was placed ahead of the Rams by Manzano. He credited both coaches for earning their reputations on merit rather than simply benefiting from proximity to head coach Sean McVay’s tree of successful assistants.
Shula expanded on the foundation Morris laid before departing for Atlanta in 2024, continuing that approach with a front office that hadn’t spent heavily on the defensive side of the ball. After the Rams stopped neglecting the defense this offseason, there’s a strong possibility that the unit could become the best in football, especially in light of the trades for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie. Scheelhaase, though just entering his third year as an NFL coach, earned substantial respect for his work as the offensive coordinator at Iowa State. While he might not call plays as McVay’s official OC, he demonstrated his value last season as the pass-game coordinator, elevating the Rams’ offense and helping Matthew Stafford achieve what some considered his best performance, contributing to Stafford’s MVP-worthy season.
The two coaches’ resumes reinforce the ranking. Shula transformed a defense that ranked among the league’s least expensive into a top-10 unit in each of his two seasons as coordinator, largely through the use of mid-round draft picks and bargain free agents rather than heavy spending—an approach that persisted through the 2026 offseason. This track record helped him secure five head-coaching interviews in the most recent cycle. Scheelhaase, in only his second NFL season at the time, drew interest from teams such as the Browns, Raiders, Ravens, and Steelers after earning widespread respect during his tenure with the Rams.
Given their trajectories, it should come as no surprise that both figures are considered top head-coaching candidates for the 2027 offseason. McVay remains a central factor in their advancement—not only because of the sustained success his teams have enjoyed under his leadership, but also because of the way his staff members have risen to prominent roles elsewhere. Rams legend Andrew Whitworth has even said McVay intentionally has his assistants lead meetings or deliver presentations throughout the year to prepare them for larger opportunities down the line. This approach reflects McVay’s trust in his staff and has been a major reason why the Rams have thrived under his direction and why his assistants continue to land significant roles in the NFL.
This piece originally appeared on Rams Wire, highlighting how Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase have emerged among the NFL’s best coordinator duos in pursuit of better SEO.