As the Rams clinch their second straight NFC West title, it is time to ask if the McVay sway will equate to the Belichick effect. The NFL wants a level playing field, with a rotating cast of teams punching into the playoffs.
Losing teams get higher draft choices. High draft choices are not only better rated players, but cheap labor under rookie contracts. Successful teams must struggle to keep players who have proven their worth on the national stage. Top teams also face a brain drain, as losing teams grab their assistant coaches hoping to capture the magic.
Yet New England has remained a top contender. Can McVay do the same for the Rams? The first step is to find hidden gems in the draft. Belichick has been a master. The jury is out on the Rams 2018 draft class, but given the lack of a first round choice, the Rams 2017 class was exceptional.
As often happens in New England, the Rams lost assistants this year. So far McVay has successfully filled the positions. But the final piece is contract negotiation. The salary cap is a sword hanging over top teams. Players, particularly Brady, have accepted below market contracts to remain part of a winning team. Time will tell if Goff, and others, are willing to do the same for McVay.
