Sean McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl after the Los Angeles Rams took down the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. At 36 years old, you would think there’d be several more championships in his future – but only if he doesn’t ride off into the sunset and retire.
There have been rumors about McVay bolting from the NFL to become a broadcaster after winning a Super Bowl, leaving the coaching ranks far earlier than anyone would expect. He added fuel to that fire when he said he wants to start a family and spend time with them, saying there’s “no chance” he’ll be someone who coaches into his 60s.
He was asked directly by Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times if he’ll be back with the Rams in 2022 and his answer was, “We’ll see.”
That’s … not reassuring. Like Aaron Donald, McVay added that he’s “just enjoying this moment right now,” a clear indication that he’s not ready to address his future just yet. He had the chance to shoot down talk of his potential retirement but he can’t say for sure that he’ll be returning next season.
When Hernandez asked McVay if winning the Super Bowl makes it easier to retire, having fulfilled his goal of securing a ring, the coach said, “I think you could definitely say that.”
McVay said he loves coaching and is “just so excited about this moment right now,” and understandably so. He’s a Super Bowl champion and probably hasn’t stopped celebrating since Sunday night. But at the same time, retiring from coaching to become a broadcaster who might make seven figures per year like Tony Romo sounds like an enticing opportunity for McVay.
There’s also a chance he’s using the threat of retirement as leverage. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported before the Super Bowl that McVay and Zac Taylor are both in line for contract extensions this offseason. Ian Rapoport also said McVay will be back in 2022 after the coach told him he’s “committed to this team and coaching.”
McVay could simply be using a broadcasting opportunity as a way to leverage his next salary with the Rams, helping himself land a more lucrative deal.
The Rams will need to know sooner rather than later if he’s returning because they have the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency and the draft coming up in the next few months. It’s hard to imagine McVay leaving the Rams after only five seasons, but stranger things have happened.
