The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams know that at the end of the season, this team is going to face another round of coaching attrition. But the expectations are that defensive coordinator Chris Shula will be plucked quickly; other coaches may not find garnering interest quite as easily. Still, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur may be the best of the bunch.

Here’s why.

Mike LaFleur was hired as the offensive coordinator in 2023. Unfortunately, much of his work has been behind the scenes, and his impact was not easily evident in the offense’s performance. LaFleur had ample experience in the San Francisco 49ers offense, one that emphasized complex running schemes and heavy use of the tight end position.

That changed this year.

After 15 games, the offense is tops in yards gained and points scored. That is quite a turnaround for a team that struggled to score with the same 11-personnel plays. This year, the offense has transformed.

Now the team is as comfortable with triple tight ends as it is with a dynamic duo at running back. Yes, the offense has the right personnel to get the job done. But it’s also true that this offense is optimizing the available talent on the roster.

More Mike LaFleur, if you please

How crazy good is this offense? Well, it’s topping the NFL, despite facing some of the stingiest defenses in the league. While the team has lost four games, the team was very much in each of those games until the last moments. And fans can argue that fluke plays directly contributed to those losses.

Best of all, when LaFleur called the offensive plays, the team exploded for 45 points. It was one of the most dominating and full-on offensive onslaughts the LA Rams franchise had ever amassed. And it was all due to an offensive coordinator who never calls offensive plays.

But he certainly proved that he can.

Still, let’s not put the cart before the horse. The power of this new offensive philosophy is not simply due to its superiority. It’s just that defenses are surprised and ill-prepared to neutralize the offense. With multiple tight ends on the football field, plays oscillate between blockers and receivers, forcing defensive backs to second-guess their coverage assignments.

Meanwhile, rotating between running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum ensures that a fresh running back is on the football field at all times.

The ultimate effect is that no single player is tasked with touchdowns. The Rams roster boasts nine players who have scored multiple touchdowns this season, and 12 different scenarios in which a player has scored at least once, whether by rushing or receiving. That’s exactly what this team had hoped for.

It was easy to wonder whether Mike LaFleur made a difference before this season. But now, his influence is obvious. LA’s offense is among the best in the NFL. And LaFleur’s influence in making that happen is undeniable.

As always, thanks for reading.