Rams Hire Bills Ex as New O-Line Coach
The Los Angeles Rams continue to shake things up on their offensive coaching staff.
Per a report Thursday from ESPN, former Buffalo Bills assistant line coach Ryan Wendell will be joining the Rams as their new offensive line coach.
Wendell now joins a talented Rams offensive staff, under head coach Sean McVay and newly-hired offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and tight ends coach Nick Caley.
Wendell began his coaching career on the sidelines in 2019 as a coaching assistant with the Bills. For the past three seasons (2020-22) he has served as Buffalo’s assistant offensive line coach.
However, his playing career was largely forged with the New England Patriots.
Wendell joined the Pats as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2008. He spent the first eight seasons of his nine-year career in New England, appearing in a combined 91 regular season and playoff games, including 56 starts at either center or right guard. He was a key contributor to New England’s win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, a game in which the Pats’ offensive line largely neutralized a fearsome Seattle defense. Wendell played every snap at right guard in what turned out to be his final start as a member of the team.
Prior to the 2015 season, Wendell was voted a captain by his teammates for the first time in his career. Though he missed the first five games of the 2015 season with an illness, he briefly returned in a reserve capacity for two games. Wendell was eventually placed on injured reserve in early November, ending his time with the Patriots. He finished his NFL playing tenure after just one season as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2016.
Wendell interviewed with the Patriots for their offensive line coach vacancy last week. However, New England agreed to hire University of Oregon coach Adrian Klemm to the position.
The Rams offensive line struggled mightily in 2022, with injuries playing a major role in their decline. Linemen Joe Noteboom (Achilles), Logan Bruss (knee), Tremayne Anchrum (fibula) and Alaric Jackson (blood clots) all suffered season ending injuries. In addition, Brian Allen (knee), David Edwards (concussion), Coleman Shelton (ankle) and Chandler Brewer (knee) all missed significant time, as well.
As a result, L.A.’s unit often featured reserves and in-season signees — including Oday Aboushi, Matt Skura, and Ty Nsekhe — rotating in and out of their starting lineup.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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