Rams Will Have a Host of New NFC West Challenges in 2026

The Los Angeles Rams have to master the whiteboard to win their division this season

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks on field after the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams have learned that the task to take back the NFC West from their arch-rivals just got more difficult.

The Seahawks Are Back At Work

After their victory in Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks have wasted no time re-arming their franchise for a championship run in 2026, and for a team that shares a division with three offensive play-calling head coaches, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is making sure his unit stays at the forefront of defensive thought by bringing in a man who was once his understudy.

According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks have hired Zach Orr for their defensive staff.

"Seahawks are hiring former Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr as inside linebackers coach," stated Schefter. "After spending two years leading Baltimore’s defense, Orr now will rejoin Mike Macdonald, this time in Seattle. Orr had interviewed for defensive coordinator jobs in recent weeks, and also had been requested to interview for the Raiders’ DC job. But he elected to join the Seahawks."

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cobi Hamilton (83) runs after a catch against Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Macdonald, assistant head coach Leslie Frazier and defensive coordinator Aden Durde, are all expected to be back next season, now adding Orr to their brain trust after Orr spent the last two seasons as the Ravens defensive coordinator.

Macdonald and Orr both joined the Ravens in 2014 in different roles before moving up the organizational ladder, learning defensive philosophies under Super Bowl-winning assistants Dean Pees and Wink Martindale.

How This Affects The Rams

If not for an injury to Lamar Jackson, forcing him to miss the Rams-Ravens contest in 2025, the Ravens likely would have won the game as Orr's defense, which was also dealing with a variety of issues, kept the Rams' high-flying offense at bay during Los Angeles' 17-3 victory.

Orr will now work side by side with Ernest Jones to ensure the entire Seahawks defense remains on the same page, giving Seattle the edge on communication needed to put the Rams in tough spots.

Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald interacts with fans during the Super Bowl LX World Champions parade in downtown Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

While the Rams were able to put up points against the Seahawks, all five of the contests between Mike Macdonald and Sean McVay have ended in one score contests, with four of them coming down to the final play of the game, and three of those games being decided from the final play from scrimmage.

This move gives the Seahawks the defensive edge that Kliff Kingsbury gives the Rams on offense.

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