Despite being on track for another losing season, the Los Angeles Rams have given head coach Jeff Fisher some semblance of job security.
Since a surprising 3-1 start this season, the Los Angeles Rams have fallen off with six losses in their last seven games. A commitment to Case Keenum as the starting quarterback finally ended a few weeks ago, and rookie Jared Goff will make his third straight start on Sunday. Rumors of a contract extension for head coach Jeff Fisher date back to before the season, and now it has become official.
Sources: #Rams coach Jeff Fisher has, in fact, signed a contract extension. The long-discussed deal is believed to be for 2 years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2016
Fisher is in his fifth season as Rams’ head coach, with a 31-43-1 record right now and what is on track to become zero winning seasons in that time. Dating back to his time as head coach of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Fisher has had a winning record in just six of 20 full seasons as an NFL head coach. As a result, he is on the verge of becoming the losingest head coach in league history.
A two-year extension does not point to phenomenal job security, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter points out.
A contract extension does not give Jeff Fisher any more job security. Rams must win and play well down stretch or his job will be in danger.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2016
Fisher seems likely to get the 2017 season to come through on the “I’m tired of being 7-9” sentiment he conveyed during “Hard Knocks” this year. But time is finally running out on his inexplicable, and truly enviable, job security.
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If the Rams go in the tank over the rest of this season, and start slowly next year, Fisher will clearly be on the hot seat. In that circumstance, an in-season firing would not be out of the question.