Sean McVay gives rising Rams coach Nate Scheelhaase play-calling duties

Nate Scheelhaase’s rapid climb through the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff will take another step Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sean McVay announced Thursday that Scheelhaase will call the Rams’ offensive plays in their preseason opener, giving the 35-year-old offensive coordinator another chance to show why he has become one of the NFL’s fastest-rising young coaches.

Preseason games have become something of a laboratory for McVay, who regularly gives assistants responsibilities they normally would not have on Sundays.

Scheelhaase got one of those opportunities last year, calling the offense during the Rams’ preseason matchup with the Chargers. Mike LaFleur handled another exhibition game before eventually leaving Los Angeles to become the Cardinals’ head coach.

Now Scheelhaase gets another audition, only his profile has changed considerably.

The Rams promoted him to offensive coordinator in February after he spent 2025 as passing game coordinator. He helped oversee a passing attack that finished first in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns while Matthew Stafford won MVP.

That production helped Scheelhaase become a legitimate head-coaching candidate despite having only two seasons of NFL coaching experience at the time. He interviewed for multiple vacancies during the 2026 hiring cycle, with interest from Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas. ESPN reported he ultimately interviewed for five head-coaching jobs before remaining with Los Angeles.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah also reported that Scheelhaase impressed during those interviews, with his relative lack of experience viewed as one of the few knocks against him.

Saturday therefore offers something more valuable than simply another preseason assignment: experience.

Scheelhaase will control an offense expected to feature Stetson Bennett IV and rookie first-round quarterback Ty Simpson, who is getting his first taste of NFL preseason action. That means managing personnel, sequencing calls, reacting to defensive adjustments and keeping young players operating efficiently.

The Rams have seen this movie before. Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen and Mike LaFleur all served as offensive coordinators under McVay before eventually becoming NFL head coaches.

Scheelhaase already appears to be traveling the same road.

Saturday gives him another opportunity to show how quickly he can get there.

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