The Los Angeles Rams know that they have blue-chip talent at key spots, intriguing depth, and a defensive coordinator with football royalty in his bloodline. But after a middling showing on defense in 2024, there’s one thing they need more than anything in 2025: results.
Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante placed Rams DC Chris Shula at No. 26 among all NFL defensive coordinators, signaling both the respect for his upside and the skepticism around what his unit has accomplished so far. Shula’s ranking was the fourth-lowest among all NFC defensive coordinators. The 38-year-old grandson of Hall of Famer Don Shula is entering Year 2 as Los Angeles’ defensive signal-caller. While last year had its flashes, the numbers told a different story: 26th in total defense, 20th against the pass, and 22nd versus the run.
The Los Angeles Rams have some enticing young talents on their roster, but it hasn’t all come together for them as a unit on defense yet. Higher expectations should come for Chris Shula in his second year as their defensive coordinator.
That production was put to the test after future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald retired following the 2023 season; the Rams possessed the seventh-best defense in the league that year.
While no splash moves were made, the Rams didn’t stand pat this offseason. The team added proven veteran Poona Ford, a stout interior lineman with over 100 career games under his belt, and sideline-to-sideline linebacker Nate Landman, fresh off a solid stint in Atlanta. They doubled down on front-seven help in the draft, selecting Josiah Stewart (LB), Ty Hamilton (DT), and Chris Paul Jr. (LB), signaling a clear commitment to getting faster and more physical on defense.
Now it’s on Shula to pull it all together.
A year ago, expectations were understandably modest: a new role, a young roster, and a post-Donald transition. This time around? No more grace period. With a year of experience, more pieces, and a clearer identity, 2025 must be a step forward for the Rams’ defense to complement its all-in offense.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ Chris Shula ranked among worst defensive coordinators in NFL by analyst
Reporting by Ali Jawad, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
