Expect Offensive Coordinator Matt LaFleur to Flourish in Tennessee

Vrabel’s first choice for his assistant was Los Angels Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. He comes to Tennessee with a remarkable track record. He also stems from the coaching tree of offensive guru, Kyle Shanahan.

If you know anything about a Shanahan-influenced offense, you’ll realize they include many play-action plays. With a mobile quarterback running the attack, and a former quarterback coach operating as offensive coordinator for the Titans, we could be in for an exciting season in Tennessee.

Matt LaFleur’s NFL coaching career

• 2008 offensive assistant for the Houston Texans, primarily worked with quarterbacks, wide receivers and developed a close relationship with Shanahan.
• 2012 mentored Washington Redskins quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins after Kyle Shanahan brought him in once Kyle’s father, Mike Shanahan, was hired by the Redskins.
• 2015 quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons with Kyle Shanahan as the offensive coordinator. Worked with QB Matt Ryan during his MVP season.
• 2017 hired as offensive coordinator to the Los Angeles Rams, worked under 2017 head coach of the year Sean McVay, whom he had worked with when he was a part of the Redskins coaching staff.
• 2018 hired by the Tennessee Titans as offensive coordinator.

LaFleur’s impressive coaching experience makes him a hot coaching prospect. He could end up being a part of the Titans staff for only one year if he finds success in 2018. But what has to happen for LaFleur to find success with the Titans offense?

First of all, Marcus Mariota has to be more efficient.

LaFleur’s success with Goff could foreshadow success with Mariota and Davis

No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, second-year wide receiver, Corey Davis needs to improve. LaFleur has a knack for bailing out top-five draft picks who did not find success immediately. Take a look at Rams quarterback Jared Goff. He broke out in 2017 after a mediocre rookie campaign as the No. 1 overall draft pick. How did he do it? He built an offensive playbook that fit in with Goff’s skill set best. Having Todd Gurley at running back didn’t hurt either.

The point is, LaFleur is going to figure out a way to center the offense around Mariota.

Veteran tight end Delanie Walker would have been a nice safety blanket, but he’s now out for the season with a broken ankle. New running back Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry have the potential to be an excellent duo, though, alleviating Walker’s loss to a point.

If all works out as planned, the Titans could give the Texans a run for the best offense in the AFC South.