Rams' Chris Shula ranked among worst defensive coordinators in NFL by analyst
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.
Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
MLB rumors: Dodgers ‘engaged' in trade talks on 3 Twins relievers
The post MLB rumors: Dodgers 'engaged' in trade talks on 3 Twins relievers appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Major League Baseball trade deadline looms large over the whole league. Even the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers have been active. The Dodgers have plenty of players to move, including Dustin May. Their top targets in the MLB trade market are relief pitchers. Los Angeles has its sights set on Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Louis Varland. The Dodgers have dealt with injuries all season, including to their closer, Tanner Scott. Because of that, the front office wants to bring in more depth that can help the team navigate its way to back-to-back World Series wins. Duran has emerged as a viable option at this year's MLB trade deadline. He is still one of the top closers in the league, even if his team is struggling. Duran and Jax have been in rumors for the last few weeks. Neither player was a 2025 MLB All-Star, but both have been excellent in the regular season. However, the Twins' asking price will be steep for both of them. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Dodgers are one of many teams talking with Minnesota about each of them. While both relievers would be big subtractions at the MLB trade deadline, they might not be the best Twin moved in the next 24 hours. The Houston Astros have interest in Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa, who is willing to waive his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. With Byron Buxton on the Twins' injured list, the team has turned into sellers very fast. Duran, Jax, and Varland are all names to watch at the MLB trade deadline. It is unlikely that the Dodgers would trade for all three, but adding any one of them improves their bullpen. For a team trying to hold off the competition in the National League, Los Angeles needs all the help it can get. Related: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani exits vs. Reds with apparent injury Related: Ryne Stanek's hilarious reaction to Mets' Tyler Rogers, Ryan Helsley trades
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Jeanie Buss
Buss is one of the most influential women in sports, becoming the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013 after the death of her father, Jerry Buss. At age 58, she became the first female controlling owner to land her team an NBA championship in 2020. As the co-owner of Women of Wrestling since 2017, Buss secured the largest distribution deal for professional women's wrestling with Paramount's syndication network, and broadcasts weekly in over 200 U.S. markets. Buss is also an executive producer of the Hulu docuseries "Legacy: The True Story of The LA Lakers," which premiered in August 2022.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Seattle hosts Los Angeles following Ogwumike's 26-point game
Los Angeles Sparks (11-15, 3-11 Western Conference) at Seattle Storm (16-11, 9-6 Western Conference) Seattle; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Seattle Storm hosts the Los Angeles Sparks after Nneka Ogwumike scored 26 points in the Seattle Storm's 101-85 win over the Connecticut Sun. The Storm's record in Western Conference games is 9-6. Seattle ranks second in the Western Conference with 21.1 assists per game led by Skylar Diggins averaging 5.8. The Sparks are 3-11 against conference opponents. Los Angeles allows 87.3 points to opponents while being outscored by 2.7 points per game. Seattle is shooting 44.6% from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points lower than the 45.2% Los Angeles allows to opponents. Los Angeles has shot at a 45.5% clip from the field this season, 2.6 percentage points higher than the 42.9% shooting opponents of Seattle have averaged. The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on June 18 the Storm won 98-67 led by 26 points from Ogwumike, while Rickea Jackson scored 17 points for the Sparks. TOP PERFORMERS: Ogwumike is shooting 51.9% and averaging 17.4 points for the Storm. Diggins is averaging 11.8 points over the last 10 games. Kelsey Plum is averaging 20.2 points and six assists for the Sparks. Dearica Hamby is averaging 19.4 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Storm: 6-4, averaging 77.4 points, 31.8 rebounds, 19.7 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.7 points per game. Sparks: 6-4, averaging 89.5 points, 33.3 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 6.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 88.7 points. INJURIES: Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). Sparks: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
