How Rams Sean McVay Fought Off Patriots Interest in Hiring Nick Caley
As has become common over the last few years, the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff has become a factory for other teams to poach from. It was no different this offseason as they lost six assistant coaches, including former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who is now the Atlanta Falcons coach, but they could've lost one more.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the New England Patriots were not only seriously considering current Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley for their offensive coordinator opening but had even offered him the job.
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"Caley traveled to New England for a second interview with the Patriots ... and was offered the Patriots offensive coordinator job by his old staffmate Jerod Mayo," Breer writes. "And he was offered it at a very competitive salary, which reflected the respect Mayo has for him.
"It was tough to say no. But Caley had such a good experience last year with the Rams, that the idea of leaving was more difficult than turning down a coordinator job. So he stayed, and McVay, as I’ve heard the story, was ecstatic that he did (and McVay showed that emphatically on the phone with Caley when he was told he was staying)."
So, how exactly did the Rams end up keeping Caley from moving back to Foxboro? Well, as Breer went on to detail, with the departure of now Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, McVay was able to promote Caley to passing game coordinator, a title which will help further his career.
The 41-year-old assistant joined the Rams last offseason after eight seasons in Foxboro working under then-legendary coach Bill Belichick. After starting in 2015 as an offensive assistant in New England, Caley worked his way up the ladder, coaching tight ends from 2017 to 2022.
However, despite the potential to return to Foxboro with the promotion of being the offensive coordinator, Caley will stick by McVay's side, likely in hopes that a team in a better situation than the rebuilding Patriots are in has an opening.
