Following a humiliating Week 14 defeat, head coach Jeff Fisher has been fired by the Los Angeles Rams.
Just one week ago, the Los Angeles Rams looked like the fools of the NFL prior to their game ever being played. Yes, they’ve largely been a joke in the 2016 season, but this was much worse. Despite him being under intense scrutiny all year, head coach Jeff Fisher signed a two-year extension with the team, something that had been on the table since the preseason.
It was a curious move at the time and one that everyone questioned. Even still, there were cautionary tales abound regarding the future of Fisher in LA. The general consensus was that coaches with two years left on their contract have been fired before. And in fact, we should have listened to that cautionary tale.
On Monday, following the Rams getting absolutely trounced by the Atlanta Falcons at home, 42-14, Jeff Fisher has been fired as the head coach in Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Rams have relieved Jeff Fisher from head coaching duties. Full statement to follow.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 12, 2016
Anyone who has been keeping up with the Rams this season should not be surprised. First, there was the insistence to stick with the inept Case Keenum at quarterback in lieu of 2016’s No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff. But worse than that, this team has been awful even in areas where they were supposed to be competent, namely the defense. Combine that with the fact that the offense is completely worthless and now a 4-9 record, this firing was a long-time coming.
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Fisher now becomes the first coach fired in the 2016 NFL season, but he likely won’t be the last. It’s fitting that he’s the first, though, all things considered. The Rams need to make a splash going forward to help build their fanbase. That’s even more so true with the Chargers potentially joining them in the City of Angeles. Fisher was never going to be the guy to do that or to bring success. So it was ultimately time to part ways—and they did.