Nate Schielhaas Takes the Helm for Rams Preseason Opener

Nate Schielhaas has quickly made a name for himself on the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff, and this Saturday, he’ll have another chance to prove his worth against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Head coach Sean McVay mentioned on Thursday that Schielhaas will be calling the offensive plays in the preseason opener, which is a significant opportunity for the 35-year-old offensive coordinator to demonstrate why he’s considered one of the rising stars in the NFL coaching ranks.

Preseason games have essentially become a sort of testing ground for McVay, who likes to assign his assistants roles they wouldn’t usually tackle during regular-season games.

Schielhaas had a similar chance last year during a preseason matchup against the Chargers, where he energized the offense. Before leaving for his head coaching position with the Cardinals, Mike LaFleur had his turn at a preseason game as well.

This time around, Schielhaas’ profile is a bit different. He received a promotion to offensive coordinator in February after serving as the passing game coordinator in 2025. During that year, he contributed to a passing attack that topped the NFL in yards and touchdowns, with Matthew Stafford even winning MVP. This experience has led Schielhaas to become a serious candidate for head coaching positions, despite only having two seasons of coaching experience in the NFL.

He garnered interest from several teams during the 2026 recruitment cycle, with reports indicating he interviewed for positions in Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. ESPN noted he was in the running for five head coaching roles but ultimately chose to stay with the Rams.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah stated that Schielhaas did well in his interviews, although his limited experience was viewed as a drawback.

Thus, Saturday’s game will offer him much more than just a preseason assignment; it’s an experience that could shape his future.

In the game, Schielhaas will be directing an offense that features Stetson Bennett IV and rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson, which will be a new experience for them in the NFL preseason. He’ll need to manage personnel calls, respond to defensive adjustments, and keep the younger players engaged and productive.

The Rams have seen a similar transition before. Coaches like Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Cohen, and Mike LaFleur have all moved on from McVay’s coaching tree to become NFL head coaches. It seems Schielhaas might be following that same trajectory.

Saturday will provide him yet another chance to showcase just how far he can go.