Two Rams Offensive Assistants Join Raheem Morris, Falcons' Coaching Staff
The Los Angeles Rams exceeded every expectation in 2023. General manager Les Snead put together a strong core of young talent that helped boost them back into contention, but teams around the league have instead focused on the coaching staff that head coach Sean McVay had built.
This offseason has subsequently seen Los Angeles rack up departures across its staff. Morris’ ascension to head coach had meant that the Rams’ top assistant would be gone, and offensive staff members – including quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson – followed suit.
On Saturday, that trend continues, gutting Los Angeles’ staff further.
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant Nick Jones against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons hired Rams offensive assistants KJ Black and Nick Jones, per Jourdan Rodrigue. Black and Jones – presumably Atlanta’s quarterbacks and offensive line coaches, respectively – help showcase the infrastructure McVay had built. Even the depths of the coaching staff have earned promotions.
Jones had spent three years with Los Angeles and already has experience with the Falcons from his work with the league’s Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He also has collegiate playing and coaching experience with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Black, meanwhile, spent two years on the Rams’ staff. He too was a member of the league’s successful diversity fellowship. Black worked alongside Robinson in the quarterback room and will possibly have a chance to leave his fingerprints on a rookie quarterback, given Atlanta’s situation under center.
McVay deserves credit for the strong staff he’s built – the promotions elsewhere are an obvious signal of that. However, a critical piece of this offseason will be reliant on McVay’s ability to find new coaches that fit the team’s vision and culture, and seamlessly integrate them into the organization.
Good coaching shouldn’t be taken for granted, and there may be downstream effects of this much churning along the staff.
The Rams are yet to announce corresponding moves, though Rodrigue also noted that assistant Tim Berbenich is joining Atlanta, too.
