Wade

Phillips

Phillips, 67, was in the mix for the Redskins’ DC job, but was passed over in favor of Joe Barry. Phillips coordinated new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak’s defenses in Houston for three seasons from 2011-2013, leading them to three top-10 finishes in total defense. Phillips would be an excellent hire for either team.

Phillips is going to draw interest from multiple teams with his contract expiring. He’s not expected to be retained if Denver brings in a defensive-minded coach. The Raiders are a questionable fit for Phillips under Jack Del Rio, who has a strong say in playcalling. Phillips has also been linked to the Browns.

The Rams declined to renew Phillips’ contract. He’s expressed publicly that he wishes to continue coaching. It’s unclear what other candidates new coach Kevin Stefanski has in mind for the open role.

At one point considered the veteran presence behind coach Sean McVay’s offensive-minded leadership, this shakeup was inevitable once the Rams fired Bill Johnson, Phillips’ defensive line coach, without first consulting the longtime DC last year. Los Angeles ranked No. 9 overall in defensive DVOA in ’19, an improvement on their No. 17 finish the previous year during their Super Bowl run. Joe Barry is rumored to be among the list of candidates to fill Phillips’ shoes given the former’s previous stints as an NFL DC. Whatever the case, Phillips will undoubtedly be scooped up quickly, perhaps behind another young and bright play-calling mind.

The Rams underachieved greatly in 2019, following up last year’s Super Bowl loss to New England by missing the playoffs altogether. As is usually the case when teams fall well short of expectations, the Rams are sure to face consequences for this year’s failure with coaching and personnel changes both distinct possibilities. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips appears to be a goner while even workhorse back Todd Gurley is no lock to return in 2020. Seeming supplanted by the 49ers and Seahawks in the NFC West, L.A.'s title window is dangerously close to slamming shut.

The moves were fully expected after the Bill O’Brien hire. Phillips wound up spending three years as the Texans’ defensive coordinator, leading units that ranked Nos. 2, 7 and 7 in the NFL in total defense. Still a fabulous coach at age 66, Phillips shouldn’t have trouble landing a coordinator job elsewhere, perhaps even in Dallas, where he was head coach before landing in Houston. The Texans are tentatively expected to replace Phillips with Romeo Crennel.

Phillips appeared to be watching a play on the sideline when Melvin Gordon ran into him on the sideline, apparently knocking Phillips temporarily unconscious. He had to be stretchered off, but promisingly gave a thumbs up on his way off the field. LBs coach Reggie Herring is now calling the Broncos’ defensive plays.

The 69-year-old coordinator had to be carted off the field Sunday, but escaped with only a scare. Phillips’ presence is what took the Broncos’ defense to the next level the past two seasons. He’s one of the league’s most important assistants.

Wade Phillips has years of head coaching experience and is well liked by the roster, but he is a much better fit in the coordinator role. The Broncos would almost certainly like to keep him in that job in the new staff, but Elway said Phillips’ future will be decided by the next coach. Going on 70, Phillips is not currently under contract.

Going on 70, Phillips remains one of the most respected defensive minds in the league. He’d be inheriting some highly-intriguing pieces in Los Angeles, though also many more holes than he had in Denver. Phillips also employs a 3-4 defense, while the Rams were 4-3 under coaches Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams.