Rams changes or continuity in 2026? (schemes, etc…the big stuff)

A scheme shift could be coming for the Rams after adding Trent McDuffie
Les Snead hinted at possibly changing the Rams’ defensive scheme before the McDuffie deal was even done
Cameron DaSilva

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/03/06/rams-trent-mcduffie-trade-scheme-defense/89002475007/

Since Brandon Staley was hired as the defensive coordinator in 2020, the Los Angeles Rams have deployed a scheme on defense that pulls concepts from Vic Fangio’s system. They’ve been a zone-heavy defense for years, with Raheem Morris and now Chris Shula adopting many of the principles that Staley installed during his brief time in Los Angeles.

The results have been mixed, with the Rams ranking first in total defense in 2020 but never better than 17th since then. Might a scheme change be in the cards for the Rams this year?

There are some signs pointing toward a shift in their coverage plans, most notably the addition of Trent McDuffie.

McDuffie is known as more of a man corner who presses at the line and uses his physicality to reroute receivers and force incompletions. He can play zone, but he’s at his best in man coverage.

According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Rams utilized zone coverage on 79.8% of their defensive snaps last season, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. Their man usage of only 15% was the fourth-lowest in football.

The Rams are able to prevent big plays by utilizing a variety of Cover 3 and 4 concepts, keeping a top on the defense and limiting downfield shots over the top. Man coverages are more aggressive and typically yield more explosive plays by the offense, but if you have the corners to run it, they can clamp down receivers and shut them down.

In 2023, McDuffie had an 81.7 coverage grade in man, according to PFF, which was the fourth-best among qualified cornerbacks. He allowed just 20 catches on 36 targets, though most of those snaps were in the slot.

His man coverage grade dropped a bit in 2024 (55.8), but he still only allowed 25 catches on 48 targets; it’s just that he gave up five touchdowns in man and none in zone.

Les Snead said this week that improving on defense isn’t always about the players, but also the system. He hinted at potentially shifting the coverage scheme a bit and finding players who fit it. That was one day before they acquired McDuffie. Was Snead indicating the Rams were moving toward more man coverage?

“It’s all of us doing the after-action review,” Snead said. “Coaching staff coming in and saying, ‘Maybe tweaks to what we’re trying to accomplish on the back end from a scheme standpoint, and then at that point, determining who on our roster fits the new adjustments or tweaks and then figuring out, is there an All-Pro that you could add? That could be nice. And if there’s not an All-Pro, is there a player out there that adds an edge based on what we’re trying to accomplish?

“A lot of times in football, you can want to improve. Doesn’t necessarily mean you change people. It might mean you change schemes. It might mean in the sense with some people, you continue working with them, mentoring them, developing them.”

Even if the Rams don’t do a complete 180 and become a man-based defense, it’s logical that they’d utilize more man coverage in 2026. Adding another cornerback who can excel in man coverage will make that easier, but simply adding McDuffie opens the door for them to be more versatile and unpredictable with their coverages.

Shula is still the defensive coordinator but Jimmy Lake is taking over as the new pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, replacing Aubrey Pleasant. His input could help the Rams transition to more man concepts in 2026, despite Shula’s reputation as being a coordinator who skews more heavily toward zone concepts.

We could see more blitzes with McDuffie manning up receivers on the outside, or even by sending him at the quarterback on a slot blitz.

With a corner who can cover like McDuffie, the Rams don’t have to be so rigid with their coverages and schemes. They can change things up a bit to keep opposing offenses on their toes, evolving just as the league does over time.