Rams Reportedly Won't Bring Back Veteran DC Wade Phillips Next Season
After three seasons with the Rams, including a trip to the Super Bowl last February, the end of the road has arrived for L.A. defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
According to multiple reports, the veteran coach will not return to the Rams next season.
Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has been informed he will not be retained, a person with knowledge of the situation said.
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) January 6, 2020
Phillips just wrapped up his 50th year in coaching, and his third as DC for Sean McVay and the Rams. However, after winning the NFC West last year and making it to the Super Bowl, the Rams finished a disappointing 9-7 this campaign and missed out on the postseason.
The defense struggled at times throughout the year, giving up 30 or more points in five games. Remember when the Bucs put up 55 on the Rams in late September in a Tampa Bay win? Yup, that was nothing short of concerning.
The #Rams are not bringing back DC Wade Phillips, source confirms, as @LATimesklein reported. A new defensive outlook for coach Sean McVay. Phillips contract expired.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2020
Phillips, 72, has made it quite clear he'd like to continue coaching. With all of his experience, he'll likely get phone calls from multiple NFL teams in search of a new DC in the coming days, if he hasn't already.