Chris Shula's revamped Rams defense fell flat in opener vs. 49ers
After an offseason of hype, the Rams' new-look defense struggled badly against the 49ers.
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 season with a defense that appeared to be among the best in the league. However, their season opener against the 49ers revealed a defense that required significant changes. The Rams' defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, was found wanting, as he seemingly struggled to address the same issues Kyle Shanahan consistently presents to his defenses.
Shanahan's offense relies on exploiting holes in the zone defense, particularly with quick passes underneath, a strategy he executes exceptionally well against Shula's defense. The 49ers' pass catchers, Brock Purdy and others, managed to exploit the Rams' revamped secondary, with Brock Purdy distributing the ball in a way that allowed multiple 49ers to burn the Rams.
Despite $200 million invested into the secondary, it failed to show any improvement. The defensive line struggled against the run and overpursued on the quarterback, creating open lanes for easy passes. The secondary's Achilles heel was their pre-snap motion. Quarterback Brock Purdy's performance was criticized, and the team lacked an emotional leader with Jared Verse absent.
The 49ers, known for their rivalry with the Rams, demonstrated their championship potential, taking the lead in the NFC race. Shula has time to reinvent his unit, but with a more seasoned team, there's no room for experimentation. The stakes are higher, and failure to adapt could lead to a tough season ahead for the Rams.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
