EXTENSION DOESN’T MEAN SECURITY
Fisher, Rams still might part ways after this season or next
Before everybody criticizes the Los Angeles Rams over the revelation of a contract extension for coach Jeff Fisher — too late? — let’s get a few things straight.
A two- year extension through 2018 is really a one- year deal in NFL coach terms, since it’s rare anybody coaches out his existing contract. Fisher’s deal might even formalize that, if it includes an option year that could get the team off the hook financially after 2017.
And the timeline NFL Media reported Sunday — the deal was agreed to in the preseason and signed during the regular season — reinforces skepticism here that Fisher is really safe beyond this season.
Rams officials confirmed to USA TODAY Sports in emails Sunday that Fisher and general manager Les Snead had signed contract extensions but did not disclose details. There were rumors in league circles as far back as August that both deals were in place and the Rams were just waiting for the right time to announce them. More than three months later, the Rams hadn’t acknowledged anything before reports leaked Sunday — not great timing, with an uphill battle at New England against Tom Brady and the Patriots in the afternoon that ended in a 26- 10 loss.
In the interim, Fisher has faced more and more questions about his job. His team is 4- 8 this year and 31- 44- 1 in his five seasons. And the weirdness continues to escalate each time franchise legend Eric Dickerson attacks him through the media, echoing the complaints of many fans in a huge but developing market that just got an NFL team back after a 21- year absence.
The thinking around the team as recently as amonth ago was it would be a surprise if Fisher, 58, didn’t return. Moving from St. Louis into temporary facilities added to the Rams’ challenge, even if Fisher’s comments last week might have crossed the line into outright excuse- making.
But when you’re staring down another losing season and you want to make sure the football operation is right before a glitzy new stadium opens ( perhaps with an additional NFL tenant) in 2019 and management has spent months either too indifferent or too embarrassed to say it has committed to its existing leadership, does that seem like a stable situation?