Mike LaFleur wore a postgame smile Sunday that was seldom seen when he known as MetLife Stadium his full-time house.
The Rams offensive coordinator punctuated a profitable cross-country return by celebrating quietly along with his household within the bowels of the stadium after a 19-9 victory in opposition to the Jets.
LaFleur was fired as Jets offensive coordinator after the 2022 season — reportedly at proprietor Woody Johnson’s behest — however wound up making a direct semi-lateral transfer to the Rams, the place he doesn’t name performs however is a part of a profitable tradition established by Sean McVay.
Jets stars Garrett Wilson and Breece Corridor have been rookies throughout LaFleur’s second of two seasons making an attempt to develop quarterback Zach Wilson and each made some extent to meet up with their former coach on the sector.
“My rookie yr, wanting again on it, it was a particular time and I’d’ve taken it as a right,” Wilson mentioned. “I really like him. To see how he’s serving to out that offense and watching them at this time with their plan to run the ball and the way in which they executed, I’m glad for him. I hope it continues to happen all through the playoffs as a result of I actually do admire him.”
Wilson and Corridor have remained in common contact with LaFleur.
The Jets have been close to the underside of the NFL, averaging 17.8 factors per recreation throughout LaFleur’s two years calling performs on head coach Robert Saleh’s employees.
Since Saleh changed LaFleur, the Jets are averaging 17.5 factors underneath each Nathaniel Hackett and the demoted Hackett’s in-season alternative Todd Downing regardless of swapping in Aaron Rodgers for Wilson.
It’s not at all times in regards to the numbers, nonetheless. Wilson clarified that he possibly took for “granted” a number of the relationships that he made early in his profession.
The Rams solely had 242 yards of offense in opposition to the Jets however had the clear sideline benefit.
“I go searching and there’s not too many acquainted faces from [2022],” Wilson mentioned. “That’s the way it goes whenever you don’t win video games. Simply these relationships and the way in which that we may discuss to one another and the way in which sure issues have been.”
McVay calls performs for the Rams — as many offensive-minded head coaches across the league do — however LaFleur has a key function in game-planning.
McVay’s teaching tree — a department of the bountiful Shanahan teaching tree — is turning into a go-to for basic managers seeking to rent.
Corridor had one of the best season of his three-year profession underneath LaFleur.
“We have now a bunch chat with Garrett the place we’re at all times joking round,” Corridor mentioned. “He’ll simply textual content us and ask us how we’re doing each every so often. It’s cool to take care of a relationship with a man we have been solely with for one yr however was one of many pivotal guys in our careers to offer us confidence and belief to place the ball in our fingers.”
