Could Second Wave of Hires Be Rams’ Deepest Cut?

Second wave of hires could be the deepest cut of all to Rams coaching staff, and it matters now.

This second hiring cycle will reshape positional coaches and coordinators across the roster. Because of personnel moves and expiring contracts, the secondary faces real risk. Aubrey Pleasant and other assistants now sit at the center of that coaching carousel.

The defensive unit ended the season in a state of flux. However, injuries to Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake exposed communication gaps. As a result, Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s recovery and coverage assignments drew heavy scrutiny. Louis Riddick publicly noted regression in the secondary, increasing urgency for defensive fixes.

If Pleasant leaves for a defensive coordinator role, the Rams could lose continuity. Five defensive backs with expiring contracts add further instability, which complicates planning. Therefore, front office decisions from Les Snead and staff will shape offseason priorities. In this piece we analyze the hires that matter most, and what they mean for the Rams’ defense.

Second wave of hires could be the deepest cut of all to Rams coaching staff: LaFleur and Pleasant

Mike LaFleur’s exit to take a head coaching job leaves a visible hole. Because he departed for the Arizona Cardinals, the offensive structure now needs reclarifying. For context, follow the Cardinals’ news feed here: Arizona Cardinals News. However, the bigger ripple may be on defense.

Aubrey Pleasant sits at the center of that ripple. He is interviewing for defensive coordinator openings with both the Arizona Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns. If he accepts a promotion elsewhere, the Rams lose their secondary architect. For team updates, see the Browns news page: Cleveland Browns News. Meanwhile, the Rams must plan for either replacement or internal continuity.

Key impacts on the Rams defense

• Continuity loss will matter. Because Pleasant led the development of Emmanuel Forbes Jr., his departure would interrupt that progress. See Forbes’ profile for reference: Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Profile.
• Secondary instability increases. The unit struggled to sustain coverage late in the season, and thus coaching continuity matters now.
• Expiring contracts compound the issue. Five defensive backs may not return, which reduces experienced depth.
• Injuries amplified communication problems. When Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake missed time, signals faltered and coverage mismatches rose.
• Scouting and scheme adjustments must accelerate. Therefore the front office must prioritize replacements and cap planning.

Because the defense is already in a state of flux, each staff move scales up uncertainty. Louis Riddick publicly noted regression in the secondary, which raises alarm bells for schematic fixes. For general Rams coverage and roster notes, reference the team news hub: Rams News Hub.

What this means for Les Snead and the offseason

If Pleasant and other assistants depart, the Rams face two choices. They can promote from within to preserve scheme continuity, or they can overhaul position coaching. Either path will affect training camp work, free agency targets, and the 2025 defensive plan. As a result, this second wave of hires could force deeper roster and tactical changes than the first hiring round.

Defensive secondary under stress: injuries, expiring contracts, and staff flux

The Rams secondary finished the season with more questions than answers. Because starters missed time, communication broke down in key moments. Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake suffered untimely injuries. As a result, coverage assignment errors multiplied late in games.

Coaching stability matters. Aubrey Pleasant built much of the secondary’s technique and communication. However, he is interviewing for defensive coordinator jobs elsewhere. If he departs, the team loses a coach who oversaw Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s reclamation process. “This could be the deepest cut of all,” observers warn, because coaching loss would layer onto roster uncertainty.

Contract timelines compound the issue. Five defensive backs may not return due to expiring contracts. Therefore depth charts will look very different in training camp. Without experienced backups, coaches must accelerate player development. Meanwhile, scheme complexity may need trimming to match available personnel.

Louis Riddick flagged a larger trend. He noticed the regression in the secondary, and that diagnosis matters for offseason planning. Teams respond to such notes by prioritizing continuity and targeted signings. Yet fixes require a defined solution at the position coach level.

Practical impacts on players and scheme

• Emmanuel Forbes Jr. needs consistent coaching to lock coverage fundamentals. Without Pleasant, Forbes may face another adjustment year.
• Young or replacement cornerbacks will face steeper learning curves in communication and alignment.
• Scheme calls could become simpler early in the season, in order to limit costly mistakes.

The bottom line is cautionary. The defense is currently in a state of flux, and coaching churn will amplify on-field instability. Therefore Les Snead and the front office must weigh continuity against upgrades when shaping the Rams’ defensive future.

The second wave of hires could be the deepest cut of all to Rams coaching staff.

This moment matters because staff turnover will shape scheme, development, and trust. If Aubrey Pleasant and other assistants leave, the Rams face real continuity loss. Five expiring defensive back contracts add roster instability. Injuries to Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake already strained communication, and therefore losing coaching continuity would compound problems.

However, the situation also offers paths to improvement. The front office can promote smartly to preserve schemes or hire fresh voices to modernize technique. As a result, targeted signings and clearer role definitions can stabilize the secondary quickly. Les Snead and the coaching leaders must set priorities early. If they act decisively, this second hiring wave can become a reset instead of a setback.

In sum, uncertainty remains high, but hope exists. With careful planning, the Rams can protect development, shore up coverage, and rebuild trust.

Website: ramsnews.com

Twitter/X: @ZachGatsby

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