Rams Head Coach Sean McVay (Post-Game Transcript)

Opening Statement:

“Okay, first of all, you give credit, you know, congratulations to the Eagles. It was a tough, hard-fought game. You give them credit and they made enough plays to be able to win the game. Man, I’m damn proud to be associated with this football team. I didn’t see it going any other way than us winning that game, 29-28. I think this game, in a lot of ways, epitomized the resilience, the grit, the ability to overcome adversity. Just had a couple things that we couldn’t overcome. There’ll be some things that we can learn from, but, this is the time for gratitude and for appreciation. I love this group. I love this coaching staff. I love these players and I also understand and appreciate how difficult it is to be in positions like this, where you’ve got the game in hand. I felt like we had total control towards the latter part of that game. The momentum was in our favor and we had an opportunity to be able to win that game and we just came up short. Like I said, you give the Eagles credit. It’s an excellent football team. They were able to make enough plays today. I love this group and I’m just really sad that this journey is over. This was a special season. It’s as much fun as I’ve had, as much as you’ve ever wanted to do right for the people in that locker room. We’ve had a lot of special teams, but this team, there was something really special about them. I think I’m up here pretty shocked, because I know a lot of people didn’t believe we could come in here, but we had the full expectation to come in here. I don’t think anybody ever really expected the end of the season to be right now and the finality of it is tough for me to swallow, because of the love and appreciation that I have for this group. Like I said, you give Philly credit, they did their thing. They made enough plays and obviously [Eagles RB] Saquon [Barkley] was excellent today. I think the two turnovers were really costly. I’m not going to make any excuses. I’m proud of our team.”

On showing emotions and what he addressed to his team after the game:
“I think you just speak from your heart and let them know how much I love them and appreciate them. You know how different every single year is and being fortunate enough to be in this position, you know, or be in this role for eight years. You don’t take for granted the caliber of people, the special combination of people, both young, some guys with some veteran experience, the coaching staff. We’ve had a lot of turnover and a lot of changes for a lot of the right reasons here, but the way that that group was able to stay together, and some of the different things that we’ve gone through this year. Just from how closely you’re in tune with what’s going on. I love this team. It’s just hard because you didn’t want it to end. I just didn’t see it going any other way than us earning a couple more opportunities to play and that’s tough, because you don’t get that.”

On what he saw today that the Rams could not overcome:
“I think you saw, there were some times where some uncharacteristic things, just in terms of the ball handling. We had two turnovers that probably don’t necessarily occur in different elements. A couple of drops you could see. When [Eagles RB] Saquon [Barkley] got to the second level, similar to the first game, but there were some different layers that we did have in our defense. He was able to pull away. But they had to play in it, too. We had to play in it. We had every opportunity to be able to win that game at the end there. We’re a couple of plays away from me being a lot happier right now. So like I said, I’m really happy and proud of this team, and I’m happy to be a part of this team and proud of this group, and I’m really bummed out that this journey is over.”

On what his feeling was when they had possession with a little more than two minutes left in the game:

“Twenty-nine to 28 was all that I saw. There was nothing you could tell me that wasn’t going to go down like that. [Rams QB Matthew Stafford] did that. And unfortunately, we had a miscommunication on the third and fourth [downs] that put us back where you book a special player when we probably could have converted on that play. It moves you back. I won’t talk about what I thought occurred on the fourth down, but [Rams QB Matthew Stafford] led us. He put us in a position to be able to win that football game, and that’s who he is, and I’m not at all surprised. We all had the expectation with him leading the way that we were going to win that game. And he did everything, and he did his part to put us in a position to be able to do that.”

On whether he thinks he can work something out with Rams QB Matthew Stafford for next season:
“I’m not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year right now. I’m just appreciative of this team. I’m appreciative of this team.”

On Rams QB Matthew Stafford playing through a potential rib issue:
“Yeah, he got his rib early. He got dinged up. But he is a warrior. He’s so tough. He represents so many things that are right about what this team became, especially for a city that’s hurting and going through some different stuff. I think he epitomizes a lot of the stuff that’s right in terms of toughness, resilience, ability to overcome adversity. He’s a total freaking stud. And I thought he was outstanding tonight with the opportunities that he was given. There’s a couple things in some of those earlier short yardage situations where we didn’t get a target, and I could have done a better job for us, but I’m sure damn proud of [Rams QB] Matthew Stafford.”

On whether he was reminded of the team’s 2022 Divisional Round matchup with Tampa Bay late in the game:

“Yeah, I did. That was a very different game, but I didn’t see any other way other than us winning that game. I think everybody in that locker room and all the coaches felt that way. And, man, football, it can bring you the highest of highs. And, man, it can bring you the lowest of lows. But this game has given – I love this game, but more importantly, I love the relationships that I’ve been able to develop and form as a result of this game. I love the tough things that you’ve had to go through, from what this game teaches you and how you want to be better for people. Today is a tough one because of the love and appreciation you have for all the people in that locker room and, for that team, I’ll always be grateful. But you don’t minimize how difficult it is to put yourself in positions where you’re on the precipice of hosting an NFC Championship, and I think we all wanted that a lot, and it didn’t go down for us today.”

On if the loss hurts him because of how much the team rallied recently:

“Yeah, that’s because you care so much, and I will never go away from that. You’re always trying to become better, you’re always trying to become more connected. You’re always trying to do a better job of helping people reach and realize their highest potential, helping yourself. And I think because of those relationships, that’s why this hurts so much. But I wouldn’t change a thing. This is a pain that’s worth going through all over again, because of all the good times and the journey that we’ve been on. You’re just bummed out because it’s over when you just thought you had two more opportunities.”

On adapting mid-game:

“I think you get a feel for, alright, what are the limitations? [The Eagles] made a couple plays, but I thought, really, [Rams QB] Matthew [Stafford] was able to throw the football. There were just some different things in terms of the footing. Credit to them, there were some situations where we didn’t think they’d really be able to get a rush, because when the snow was coming down, it’s hard to get your footing, and sometimes that can favor the offensive line. And some of the single receiver cuts where [defensive backs] are having to, you know, just mirror. And so I thought that was a key factor in why we were able to move the ball so efficiently in both of those two-minute drives where we scored a touchdown quickly, and then you end up going right down the field and you’re in scoring position with everything in front of you. And like I said, 29-28 was all I saw. And it didn’t go down that way, but, you know, that’s your job, and that was something that we had prepared for, and I thought our guys handled it well. And there were a couple things that didn’t go down for us in our favor, but we were able to overcome it. We had an opportunity to be able to win that game and, like I said, I’m proud of the resilience and the, you know, just the grit and toughness of this group.”