Sean McVay has a message for his coaching staff: clean up the sideline act. After a costly 15-yard penalty against quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone nearly derailed the Rams' comeback win over the Eagles, the head coach is demanding more discipline from everyone on the sideline.
The incident occurred late in the game when Ragone, standing too close to the field, made contact with an official. The flag negated a big run by Kyren Williams, forcing the Rams to regroup. Fortunately for Los Angeles, they managed to escape Philadelphia with a 24-20 victory, but McVay knows they can't rely on luck like that.
“Focus, concentration and situational awareness, we have to do a better job on that,” McVay told reporters after the game. “When it rains, it pours. Shoot, we’re getting penalties on our staff now too. Thank God we won that one. Rags would have never lived that one down. He felt bad about that one. So he took great accountability. We’ll get everybody the hell out of the way. And I need to get the hell out of the way as well.”
The Rams were flagged eight times for 100 yards on Sunday, and McVay knows that kind of sloppiness won't fly if they want to make a deep playoff run. It's not just the players who need to be sharp—coaches have to set the standard too.
Ragone, in his third season with the Rams, has been a key part of Matthew Stafford's success. Last year, he helped guide the quarterback to his first career MVP season, where Stafford led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46). But even a proven coach can make a costly mistake under pressure.
McVay's call for better sideline behavior echoes a broader issue across the league, as sideline clashes with officials have drawn scrutiny. While the Rams managed to escape with a win, the Eagles' postgame antics drew plenty of attention as well. But for McVay, the focus is squarely on fixing his own house.
“We’ll get everybody the hell out of the way,” McVay said, making it clear that no one is above the rules. The Rams now sit at .500, and with a tough schedule ahead, they can't afford to give away free yards.
McVay's demand for improvement is a reminder that sideline behavior can have consequences, even for coaches. As the Rams look to build momentum, expect to see a more disciplined sideline in the weeks ahead.
For now, the Rams can breathe a sigh of relief, but McVay knows that winning ugly won't cut it forever. It's time to tighten up, and that starts with the guys in headsets.
