Offensive coordinator poised for play-calling debut

NASHVILLE — Just to be clear, Matt LaFleur has called plays in NFL games as an offensive coordinator.

Sean McVay let him call plays for six quarters last year with the Los Angeles Rams — all in the preseason.

“I called the fourth preseason game actually in Green Bay and I called the second half of the Oakland game last year …,” LaFleur said Monday. “Every opportunity you get to go out and do that, situations arise. You’ve got to think quickly on your feet. The more experience you get, I think the more calm you’ll remain in those situations and be able to give the guys a better call.”

LaFleur, 38, has had to be a quick study, taking advantage of each opportunity to learn to call plays since Mike Vrabel hired him as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. LaFleur has immersed himself into it through the offseason program, through live periods and during the first 10 days of training camp.

His first big test comes Thursday night when the Titans visit the Green Bay Packers for the preseason opener for both teams. Vrabel knows what he wants to see from LaFleur.

“Efficiency, making sure that we got clean operation getting the guys in and out of the huddle,” Vrabel said. “Whatever personnel group we’re going with, let’s go with it. Let’s make a call and make sure we give these guys a chance to line up and make a play.”

LaFleur has worked with some dynamic play-callers in the NFL, including Gary Kubiak in Houston, Mike Shanahan in Washington, Kyle Shanahan while coaching quarterbacks with the Atlanta Falcons and McVay in 2017 as coordinator when the Los Angeles Rams led the NFL in points scored.

Now it’s LaFleur, who also interviewed for the head coaching job that went to Vrabel, in position to call the offensive plays he’s been installing with quarterback Marcus Mariota.

“We as coaches, we try to prepare for every situation so you’re ready for that moment,” LaFleur said. “But inevitably every week when you watch games something occurs like, ‘Wow. I may not have thought about that before.’ It’s just trying to do the best you can to prepare for every moment.”