Kliff Kingsbury Joins Rams Staff Amid Coaching Shakeup

The Los Angeles Rams are shaking up their offensive coaching staff with a headline-making addition: Kliff Kingsbury, the former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach, is officially joining Sean McVay's staff for the 2026 NFL season. While the exact job title for Kingsbury remains under wraps, league sources confirmed on February 6, 2026, that the 46-year-old offensive strategist will play a significant role on the Rams' sideline as the team looks to build on a record-setting year.

Kingsbury’s journey to Los Angeles is nothing short of a winding road through the NFL’s coaching ranks. He spent the last two seasons as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, where he made an immediate impact—most notably overseeing the rapid development of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was named the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Under Kingsbury’s guidance, the Commanders snapped a decades-long drought by surging to a 12-5 record and reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024. But football’s a fickle game: injuries decimated the Commanders in 2025, with Daniels missing ten games and star receiver Terry McLaurin also sidelined, leading to a disappointing 5-12 finish. Mutual philosophical differences between Kingsbury and Commanders general manager Adam Peters about the future of the offense ultimately ended his tenure in Washington.

Despite the tough 2025 campaign, Kingsbury’s innovative approach left a mark. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, reflecting on Kingsbury’s leadership, said in January, “I think so much of Kliff. One, a very good coach, unbelievable with the quarterbacks, but an even better person. When you’re able to play for somebody that you truly believe in and trust, I think that’s why I ended up playing my best. So, I’m biased. I think so highly of Kliff, and we’ll see what lays out for him.” Mariota’s praise underscores the high regard in which Kingsbury is held by his players, even as the Commanders’ front office opted for a new direction.

For Rams head coach Sean McVay, bringing Kingsbury on board is the culmination of a long-held ambition. The two coaches are longtime friends, having discussed working together as far back as the Rams’ 2018 Super Bowl run—when McVay tried, unsuccessfully, to hire Kingsbury as an offensive assistant. Their paths diverged, with Kingsbury heading to Arizona to become the Cardinals’ head coach, but the mutual respect and professional admiration endured. According to ESPN’s Peter Schrager, McVay and Kingsbury had been in talks for the past two weeks, and there’s “mutual excitement about this partnership.”

Kingsbury’s resume is as diverse as it is impressive. Before his stint in Washington, he served as the Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022, compiling a 28-37-1 record and leading Arizona to a playoff appearance—ironically losing to McVay’s Rams. Prior to that, Kingsbury was the head coach at Texas Tech, his alma mater, where he coached future NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and led the Red Raiders to three bowl games over six seasons. In 2023, Kingsbury returned to Los Angeles as a senior offensive analyst under Lincoln Riley at USC, further sharpening his reputation as a passing game specialist known for his creative spread concepts and run-pass option schemes.

The Rams’ decision to add Kingsbury comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise. Los Angeles finished the 2025 season with the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense, but their playoff run ended in heartbreak with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Shortly after, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur departed to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, leaving a key vacancy on McVay’s staff. The Rams have made it clear that they’ll conduct an “extensive search” for LaFleur’s replacement, with strong in-house candidates like passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase in the mix. If Scheelhaase is promoted to offensive coordinator, Kingsbury could step into the passing game coordinator role or another high-profile offensive position. Either way, McVay is determined to empower his assistants, stating this week, “You have an overall approach, but then you have to be specific with the actual pieces and people and try to be able to maximize their potential and their best chance to be able to affect us in a positive way.”

Meanwhile, the Rams’ offensive foundation remains solid. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, fresh off winning his first NFL MVP award, announced during his MVP acceptance speech on February 5 that he’ll return for his 18th season. That’s a massive boost for a team eager to maintain its offensive firepower. With Stafford at the helm and Kingsbury bringing a fresh set of eyes and ideas, Los Angeles aims to stay at the forefront of NFL innovation.

The Rams’ hiring process is also shaped by league requirements. To fill the offensive coordinator vacancy, the team must satisfy the Rooney Rule by interviewing at least two minority or female candidates. This commitment to a thorough and inclusive search has kept the official announcement of Kingsbury’s specific title on hold. But the addition of Kingsbury, along with recent hires on special teams—Bubba Ventrone and Kyle Hoke—signals a deliberate effort by McVay and the Rams’ front office to assemble a staff with a blend of experience, creativity, and leadership.

Kingsbury’s reputation as a quarterback whisperer and offensive innovator is well earned. His spread attack and RPO-heavy schemes have helped develop young signal-callers at every stop, from Mahomes at Texas Tech to Daniels in Washington. While the Rams have historically favored 11-personnel groupings under McVay, last season saw the team experiment with more three-tight end sets, creating a balanced attack that kept defenses guessing. Kingsbury’s arrival could further diversify the playbook, making Los Angeles an even tougher matchup for opponents.

Looking ahead, the Rams’ offensive staff remains a work in progress. With the offensive coordinator role still up for grabs and Kingsbury’s official title yet to be revealed, there’s plenty of intrigue about how the final structure will shake out. But one thing’s for sure—the Rams are stacking their coaching room with proven talent, and the rest of the league is taking notice.

As the 2026 NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Los Angeles to see how this new coaching partnership unfolds. Will Kingsbury and McVay finally unlock the next level of offensive brilliance? With Stafford returning, continuity among key players, and a staff loaded with football IQ, the Rams are positioning themselves for another deep playoff run. The next few weeks will bring more clarity, but the energy in Los Angeles is already palpable as Kingsbury settles into his new NFL home.