McVay just finished his seventh season coaching the Rams but is still the NFL’s second-youngest coach at age 37. He only recently got that distinction when the New England Patriots hired Jerod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick.

The meteoric rise for McVay seemed to result in a high stress load, which led to McVay waffling on his future at times. McVay was highly sought after by networks looking for an in-booth analyst, with Amazon reportedly preparing a $100 million offer before the coach decided to stay with the Rams in 2022.

A year later, McVay again contemplated his future as the Rams suffered through a 5-12 season and spent the offseason jettisoning several high-profile veterans.

“Through the challenging times we went through, in the midst of it, you can sometimes lose the perspective and the values and principles that have guided what really gave you purpose,” McVay told Jeff Howe of The Athletic earlier this year. “It was never that I didn’t think I wanted to coach. It was making sure you felt like you could be confident in a plan that reset your perspective, your awareness and your purpose for the things that allow you to love this game. If I didn’t feel confident that I could be the best coach and leader who I want to be for our players and our coaches to inspire confident change, that was the only reason you think about (stepping away).”

Expected to again miss the playoffs, McVay instead led a reinvigorated Rams group to a 10-7 season. The Rams found burgeoning young stars in running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua, with the latter setting the single-season rookie record for receptions and receiving yards in 2023.

While quarterback Matthew Stafford turns 36 next month and again spent most of the 2023 season beat up, there’s reason for optimism already heading into next season in Los Angeles.

McVay’s newfound motivation may be the biggest factor of all.