Thomas Brown to Carolina as offensive coordinator

Why didn’t the Rams promote Thomas Brown to offensive coordinator?

Why didn’t the Rams promote Thomas Brown to offensive coordinator?

He started out as the running backs coach in 2020, was promoted to assistant head coach in 2021 and took on a greater role within the offense as the tight ends coach in 2022. The Rams had the opportunity to keep him, but they chose not to take that step.

When Coen left for Lexington this offseason, there was an opening at offensive coordinator on McVay’s staff. The Rams filled it by hiring Mike LaFleur, a longtime friend of McVay’s, but they could have very easily done what the Panthers just did: made Brown their offensive coordinator.

Because Brown is receiving a promotion with the Panthers, McVay couldn’t block him from interviewing and getting the job. He can only do that for lateral moves, like a team requesting to interview an offensive coordinator for the same position.

The only way the Rams could’ve kept Brown from leaving for the Panthers was by promoting him to OC. So why didn’t they?

McVay had to have known since last year that Brown was eventually going to become an offensive coordinator or head coach. He interviewed for the Dolphins’ head coaching job last year. He did the same for the Vikings’ offensive coordinator position in 2022, too. This offseason, the Texans met with him about their head coaching job, while the Cowboys, Commanders, Chargers, Buccaneers and Panthers all interviewed him for their OC openings.

The writing was on the wall. He was bound to land a greater opportunity toon. That’s what makes McVay’s decision not to promote him somewhat surprising.

McVay has never promoted a coach internally to one of his coordinator positions. He’s always hired externally. He did it with Kevin O’Connell and Liam Coen, and now with Mike LaFleur. Matt LaFleur was his first OC in 2017.

Perhaps McVay likes to bring in outside ideas to help grow the offense rather than suffering from groupthink or too many like-minded ideas from inside the building. Maybe new suggestions and game plans were needed.

But there’s no denying McVay saw potential in Brown. He said this about him in October of 2020, more than two years ago.

“Yes. I think that there’s no limit for this guy,” he said. “I’d be so happy for him if he continues to ascend but sad for the Rams. I think he can do whatever he wants. I think he’s definitely a coordinator. I think he’s got head coach potential, in terms of his leadership and the way he relates to guys. This guy’s a great coach. I don’t think there’s any sort of ceiling or limitations on what he’s not able to accomplish at this level.”

Brown’s rise should have been within the Rams’ organization. Instead, he’s going to get his first coordinator opportunity in Carolina on a staff that also includes Ejiro Evero and Jonathan Cooley, two former Rams coaches.

Don’t be surprised if Brown becomes a head coach in a year or two.