Report: Rams DC Chris Shula linked to NFC team as head coach candidate

5 days ago 2

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will be one of the hot head coaching candidate names this offseason.

Shula, 39, is in his second year leading the Rams' defense and has spent his entire NFL coaching career working with Sean McVay. L.A. has a top-10 defense in 2025 that's helped propel itself into the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

A lot of teams in need a new head coach will look at Shula this offseason, but one team has already reportedly added him to their candidate list: The New York Giants.

According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Shula will be a name to watch to potentially replace the fired Brian Daboll in New York. He expects general manager Joe Schoen to return, but reports that the Giants will look at Shula, Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, former Raiders coach and Giants player Antonio Pierce as well as current Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka.

Schoen worked with a group that included several members of his inner circle and front office to compile the list, which has now been submitted to ownership. They did the groundwork by calling around the league for background on candidates, getting recommendations and doing homework on different types and styles of coaches. Anything goes in the search.

But key in the search will be each candidate's plan for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, especially if that coach's expertise is not the offensive side of the ball. Dart, a first-round pick in last year's draft out of Ole Miss, has flashed his rookie season and has lots of fans inside 1925 Giants Drive.

Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch will make the final decision on the new coach. Mara revealed in September that he is undergoing cancer treatment but has said he plans to remain active with the team. The list they're working from will look something like this in terms of the names, with the candidates in the first two categories expected to receive interviews.

Shula would be an intriguing coach for the Giants because of his defensive prowess, but also because of the other McVay assistants he could bring with him. Passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is another name who is making the rounds as a potential head coach or offensive coordinator elsewhere, as well as defensive passing game coordinator and assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant.

The Rams are used to losing top coordinators and assistants to other teams, though. McVay's system has helped produce some of the best young minds in the game, like Mike LaFleur, Zac Taylor and Liam Coen. Adding Shula to that list would be unfortunate, but not surprising.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Report: Rams DC Chris Shula linked to NFC team as head coach candidate

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