Sean McVay Shares Insights on Rams' Schedule Release Strategy

WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Sean McVay, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, engaged with the media following an OTA session at Rams Village in Woodland Hills on May 26, 2026. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

In a recent conversation with Jamie Maggio, McVay discussed his approach to analyzing the team's schedule upon its release. He emphasized that his strategy is straightforward, beginning with the identification of the Week One opponent, followed by an examination of the bye week and any Thursday night games on the calendar. Reflecting on the challenges of the NFL, he remarked, “I don’t know that I’ve ever been part of an easy schedule,” underscoring the importance of maximizing rest periods throughout the season.

This year's schedule includes a notable first: the Rams will compete in the inaugural pre-Thanksgiving Wednesday night game against the Green Bay Packers. This unique matchup may prompt McVay to rethink certain scheduling considerations as the season unfolds.

McVay elaborated on his schedule review process, stating, “What I look at is who are we opening with?...we already kinda knew that we were going to Australia playing the 49ers.” He also highlighted the significance of bye weeks and game timing, particularly preferring to play in a standard 1:00 PM slot, though he acknowledged that schedule makers have their own plans.

A key feature of the upcoming season is the Rams' back-to-back matchups against the Seattle Seahawks in Weeks 16 and 18, which could have major implications for the NFC West title race. While McVay did not delve into these games specifically, it's clear that he is aware of their potential significance.

Ultimately, while fans strategize around their game attendance and viewing schedules, McVay's primary concerns revolve around the season opener, game days, and rest periods for his players. Despite his candidness, it's likely that there's more depth to McVay's scheduling thoughts than he reveals, offering a rare glimpse into how coaches handle this critical aspect of the season.