“I don’t take that lightly” - Sean McVay reveals retirement timeline
As Sean McVay and the Rams counted down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, news broke about the coach considering the game to potentially be his last. The head coach later said he wanted to "run it back," but the long-term question remained.
Put simply, no, the 37-year-old head coach will not retire from the league. Many doubt that the numbers are there if he did decide to hang it up, but that time is not now. It won't be for a number of years, according to statements made by the head coach in a video conference leading up to the free agency. Here's how he put it, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic via Pro Football Talk.
Sean McVay says this AM that his decision to return in 2023 was not just about 2023. “You want to make sure you’re making a decision … for years to come. I’m committed to not having this become ‘a story’ every year. I don’t take that lightly.”
“You want to make sure you’re making a decision … for years to come. I’m committed to not having this become ‘a story’ every year. I don’t take that lightly.”
Will the Rams reach the playoffs in 2023?
The 37-year-old head coach could effectively double his age and still potentially be fit enough to hold his current job (see: Bill Belichick). While he didn't appear to be talking about that drastically, the head coach did make it clear that he won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Retirement boom is potentially in the cards despite Sean McVay's long-term return
The league has already lost one of the biggest names in today's NFL via Tom Brady. With Aaron Rodgers potentially on his way out as well, the league runs the risk of losing two No. 12's in one fell swoop. Additionally, with the Rams figured out at head coach, attention turns to checking in on Aaron Donald.
The Rams' defensive star was also a name that came up in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVI. Like McVay, he elected to run it back. While he could physically stick around for a number of years, he's closer to a forced retirement in terms of age than the head coach at almost 32 years old.
It wasn't the only factor, but HC Sean McVay said he didn't want to leave the Rams after a 5-win season:
"I would not have felt comfortable walking away from a situation where I think I owe more to the people than that."
He is heading into the second year of a three-year deal with a potential out after 2023 ends, according to Spotrac. If he doesn't retire this offseason, will No. 99 wrap it up following the next season?
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit The Athletic, Pro Football Talk, and H/T Sportskeeda.