Rams Land Kliff Kingsbury For Key Offensive Role

The Los Angeles Rams are making waves in the NFL coaching carousel, bringing in a familiar and respected name to their offensive staff for the 2026 season. Kliff Kingsbury, the former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach, is officially joining head coach Sean McVay’s staff in a yet-to-be-announced role. The news, confirmed on February 6, 2026, by multiple outlets including ESPN and The Athletic, comes at a pivotal time for the Rams as they look to build on a season that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game and boast the league’s top-ranked scoring offense.

Kingsbury, 46, arrives in Los Angeles after a tumultuous but eventful two-year stint with the Commanders. His impact in Washington was undeniable in 2024, when he helped guide rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and led the team to a 12-5 record and their first NFC Championship appearance in over three decades. However, the 2025 season proved far more challenging. Injuries ravaged the Commanders’ roster—most notably sidelining Daniels for ten games and wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a significant stretch. The result was a disappointing 5-12 campaign, and in January 2026, Kingsbury and the franchise mutually agreed to part ways, reportedly due to philosophical differences over offensive direction and quarterback development with general manager Adam Peters.

Despite the rocky end in Washington, Kingsbury’s reputation as a creative offensive mind remains intact. His coaching journey is as varied as it is impressive. Before his time in the nation’s capital, Kingsbury spent 2023 as a senior offensive analyst at USC, working under Lincoln Riley and returning to the Los Angeles football scene. Prior to that, he served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2022, compiling a 28-37-1 record and leading the team to a playoff appearance—ironically, their postseason run was ended by the Rams. Even earlier, Kingsbury was the head coach at Texas Tech, his alma mater, where he coached Patrick Mahomes and led the Red Raiders to three bowl games.

The move to the Rams reunites Kingsbury with Sean McVay, a longtime friend and coaching confidant. The two have a history of mutual admiration and had even discussed working together as far back as the Rams’ 2018 Super Bowl run, when McVay tried unsuccessfully to hire Kingsbury as an offensive assistant. According to ESPN’s Peter Schrager, the pair spent the past two weeks in discussions about Kingsbury’s potential fit on the staff, and both are said to be enthusiastic about the partnership finally coming to fruition.

What exactly Kingsbury’s role will be remains the subject of much speculation. The Rams currently have a vacancy at offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur departed to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach last week. McVay has stated publicly that the team will conduct an “extensive search” for LaFleur’s replacement, with “great in-house candidates” such as passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase—who recently interviewed for the Cleveland Browns’ head-coaching job—also in the mix. If Scheelhaase is promoted to offensive coordinator, Kingsbury could step into the passing game coordinator role, or vice versa. Regardless, Kingsbury brings a wealth of experience in game-planning, leadership, and play-calling that will be invaluable to the Rams’ offensive brain trust.

“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,” McVay said this week, emphasizing his commitment to empowering his assistants and tailoring the offense to his players’ strengths.

The Rams’ offense is already in an enviable position. With Matthew Stafford announcing his return for an 18th NFL season during his MVP acceptance speech on February 5, 2026, Los Angeles will retain the centerpiece of a unit that finished first in points scored last year. Stafford’s leadership and Kingsbury’s quarterback-friendly, spread-based offensive philosophy could prove a potent combination. Kingsbury, himself a former NFL quarterback, is known for his run-pass option schemes and adaptability—traits that could mesh well with McVay’s evolving offensive system, which last year incorporated more three-tight end sets and a balanced attack.

Kingsbury’s arrival is just one piece of a broader coaching overhaul for the Rams. Alongside him, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and assistant Kyle Hoke have been added from the Cleveland Browns, signaling McVay’s intent to inject fresh ideas and proven leadership across the board. The Rams’ commitment to diversity in their hiring process is also notable; they must satisfy the Rooney Rule by interviewing at least two minority or female candidates for the offensive coordinator position, ensuring a thorough and inclusive search.

While the specifics of Kingsbury’s responsibilities are still being ironed out, his track record speaks for itself. In Washington, both Jayden Daniels and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota praised his coaching style and system. “I think so much of Kliff,” Mariota said in January. “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.”

Kingsbury’s offensive acumen should prove a valuable asset as the Rams attempt to return to the Super Bowl stage. After falling to the Seattle Seahawks in this year’s NFC Championship Game, the franchise is determined to reload and contend once again. With a veteran MVP quarterback, a dynamic head coach in McVay, and now the addition of Kingsbury’s innovative mind, the Rams’ offensive future looks as bright as ever.

As the dust settles on this high-profile coaching move, all eyes will be on Los Angeles to see how the new staff configuration takes shape. The Rams’ search for an offensive coordinator continues, but with Kingsbury now in the fold, the team has already scored one of the offseason’s most intriguing acquisitions. Whether as offensive coordinator, passing game specialist, or another senior offensive role, Kingsbury’s influence on the Rams’ high-powered attack is sure to be one of the most closely watched storylines heading into the 2026 NFL season.