Most important Rams of 2024: #3 Chris Shula

Rams restocked the defensive cupboard this offseason, and the pressure is on for Chris Shula to get the most out of the unit

While the first shoes to drop in the offseason for the Los Angeles Rams were the free agent signings of LG Jonah Jackson and TE Colby Parkinson, the focus since has been retooling the defensive side of the ball.

A reunion with Darious Williams after his release by the Jacksonville Jaguars was next on the docket, followed by the bargain bin signing of safety Kamren Curl. LA also hedged their bets at corner by signing Tre White after he and the Buffalo Bills parted ways.

The draft was also overwhelmingly defensive, and Los Angeles used five of its first six picks to revamp first-year coordinator Chris Shula’s unit. While rumors suggested the Rams could trade up for an offensive playmaker like Brock Bowers or dip into historic talent pools at tackle and receiver, they instead took the third edge rusher off the board in Florida State’s Jared Verse. LA paired him with his Seminole teammate, Braden Fiske, in the second round after an aggressive trade up. Miami safety Kamren Kinchens could also have a chance to start next to Curl, though he’ll face competition from third-year safety Russ Yeast.

All-in-all, there are a lot of new faces on the Rams defense—and that puts Shula squarely into focus as the man putting these players in position to succeed. Some may view that as pressure on a first time coordinator and defensive play caller. Others would view this as an opportunity to cement himself as an ascending talent and potential head coach (possibly sooner than later). Either way, there’s a lot riding on the 2024 season for Shula:

OUT: DE Aaron Donald, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, DB Jordan Fuller, DB John Johnson, DE Jonah Williams

IN: OLB Jared Verse, DE Braden Fiske, DB Kamren Curl, CB Darious Williams, DB Kamren Kinchens, CB Tre White, OLB Brennan Jackson, DT Tyler Davis

The heavy investments on defense make Shula one of the most important members of the Rams organization this year:

1 –

2 –

3 – Chris Shula, Defensive Coordinator

4 – Kobie Turner, DT

5 – Jared Verse, OLB

6 – Chase Blackburn, Special Teams Coordinator

Why Shula is one of the most important Rams in 2024:

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Over his time in Los Angeles—and as a member of Sean McVay’s original staff—Shula has learned under the stead of Wade Phillips, Brandon Staley, and Raheem Morris. All of these coordinators were successful in their own ways while with the Rams, and each have distinguishable defensive identities.

Phillips is known for being a players’ coach and keeping things simple so they can play fast on the field. He led the defensive unit that helped the Rams to the 2018 Super Bowl where they frustrated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots until they finally broke the game open late while LA’s offense sputtered. Staley brought an innovative schematic approach to LA for his one year with the Rams. He should be remembered for the unique deployment of CB Jalen Ramsey and a transition to a gap-and-a-half run defense with a heavier dose of zone coverage in the passing game. A lot of those principles were still evident in Morris’ scheme, though Morris added his own wrinkles such as designed and more aggressive blitz packages.

How have these past coaches shaped Shula’s defensive tendencies? We likely shouldn’t expect a significant schematic departure between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but it’s fair to expect Shula to put his own fingerprints on this defense in his first year with the coordinator title.

While the retirement of Aaron Donald is an immeasurable loss for this team, there is a new crop of talent along the defensive line with veteran reinforcements in the secondary. If Shula can piece this group together and get them to play at a high level, we may be discussing him as a head coach candidate in the near future rather than an unproven coordinator. Things change quickly in the NFL, and especially when you are a key assistant coach under McVay.