The Rams decided in January 2020 not to renew defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' contract, letting the veteran coach go after three seasons. They replaced Phillips with Brandon Staley, a 37-year-old Vic Fangio disciple who'd made an impression on Rams head coach Sean McVay with a Bears defense that held the eventual NFC champions to six points during a Sunday night win the previous season.
That same month, McVay also hired an offensive coordinator. Wes Phillips, the Rams' tight ends coach and Wade's son, introduced McVay to Kevin O'Connell, the 34-year-old former Washington offensive coordinator who'd made an impression on Phillips during their time together on Jay Gruden's staff.