Jalen Ramsey hopes Brandon Staley stays with Rams but gives it 5% chance
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In his first season as a defensive coordinator, Brandon Staley turned what was a solid defense in 2019 under Wade Phillips into a truly elite one this year. The Rams finished first in points and yards allowed defensively, and had the second-most sacks in the NFL.
It helps to have two All-Pros in Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, but Staley deserves a ton of credit for the job he did in his first year at the helm of an NFL defense. His performance this season with the Rams has NFL teams lining up for the chance to at least interview him for a head-coaching gig, with Staley garnering interest from four franchises.
The Jets went with Robert Saleh, but the Chargers, Eagles and Texans remain in the hunt for Staley’s services. Jalen Ramsey loves the job Staley did this season, but he doesn’t expect him to return.
He said Sunday that if teams make the mistake of passing on Staley, the Rams are going to turn it up a notch and be even better in 2021.
"My confidence level that he'll be back is like 5%, maybe, just because of who he is. He's a genius. … If teams do make the mistake of not hiring him, we're gonna have a sequel, Part 2, and we're gonna turn it up a notch." –Rams CB Jalen Ramsey on DC Brandon Staley
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 17, 2021
Ramsey’s praise for Staley didn’t end there. He told reporters that Staley is absolutely the best defensive coordinator he’s ever had in the NFL. That’s a huge compliment coming from a player of Ramsey’s caliber, especially with the defense that Jacksonville had the year the Jaguars went to the AFC Championship Game.
Sure, other teams won’t have Ramsey and Donald on their team, but there’s little reason to believe Staley couldn’t help turn around a defense even without them.
Jalen Ramsey said Brandon Staley is "the best defensive coordinator that I've had for sure in the NFL," and that's not a shot at previous DCs he's worked with in LA or Jacksonville. Said Staley is smart and knows how to put players in position to make an impact on the game.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 17, 2021
Staley had interviews with the Chargers and Texans on Sunday, one day after the Rams’ playoff loss to Green Bay. He’ll fly out to Philadelphia for a meeting with the Eagles on Monday, too, so things are moving quickly for the defensive coordinator.
