Sean McVay’s got the youth over other head coaches but no luxury of peace? After guiding the Rams to the Super Bowl win in 2021, he succumbed to the pressure of over-expectations in 2022. That’s when the retirement rumors caught up faster than a receiver’s dash toward the end zone. But now, as the 2024 season is on the horizon, Mcvay feels young and fresh again. Has the pressure turned away?

McVay’s response was as smooth as a well-executed two-minute drill, showing he’s ready to call the plays for another season. As he reconnects with his players and soaks up the sideline vibes, it’s clear he’s putting aside those retirement rumors. Highlighting what has changed since the past blemishes, he said, “I like what you guys do, but I really, I really love this coaching thing and pouring into guys, being around the players and the coaches. And so, I do. I do feel like I’m a young coach again. Even though there’s been an accumulation of seven years on me.” 

Sean McVay has been calling the shots for the Rams for seven years now. Taking the reins at just 30 in 2017, McVay became the youngest head coach in the modern-day NFL. Although he had to earn his stripes in the City of Angels, he did so in style – by winning games. You might be wondering, that’s his job as an HC. Yes, and a job that he did quite well. Since he took over, the Rams have been on a ‘Rampage’, racking up 70 regular-season wins—the 5th-best record in the league during that time.

But McVay didn’t stop there. He brought three NFC West division crowns, two Super Bowl appearances, one championship, and five playoff berths to SoFi Stadium. So, what happened in 2022?

Nothing much, really. Just the weight of sky-high expectations from Rams Nation cranked up the pressure. Was it too much for him to handle? Well, you can draw your own conclusions.

Sean McVay’s mantra to success: “Exercise, diet, and rest“

If we look from the organization’s perspective—fans, players, and everyone involved—coming off a Super Bowl-winning season, in 2021, the bar was set higher. But finishing with a career-worst 5-12 record in 2022 didn’t sit well with anyone, including Sean McVay.

At the time, losing star QB Matthew Stafford to injury, along with key players like Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald, didn’t bode well for LA. They ended the season without even making the playoffs. McVay felt the weight of his coaching purpose slipping, becoming too reliant on the weekly football results, which fueled the retirement rumors and talks. Speaking on The Athletic Football Show, on the 23rd of July, McVay told Robert Mays, “My identity and security was tied to that result on Sunday, which was so unhealthy.”

However, with hard work and resilience comes results. For Sean, it was the change in his life routines and habits that was the Hail Mary move! On the show, McVay shared his winning formula: “exercise, diet, and rest,” bidding farewell to those all-nighters. His new mantra not only re-energized him but also gave the Rams a boost. He began valuing his relationships more than obsessing over Sunday’s wins and losses. And the changes were reflected as the Rams roared back in 2023, finishing the year 10-7 and sealing the playoff berth. But most importantly, LA could take a sigh of relief as McVay was back in form.

Now, he’s not just looking to lead the Rams into the future; he’s gunning for a deep playoff run and aiming for the ultimate prize. So, with McVay feeling young and fresh, can the Rams expect him to drive all the way to the Super Bowl, or will the pressure catch up with him again?