The only current NFC West head coach to do this is Sean McVay.
Sean McVay stands as the sole active head coach in the NFC West who has guided his team to a Super Bowl victory, a distinction reinforced by Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers losing in the recent Super Bowl. McVay’s Rams are also the most recent NFC team to win the Super Bowl. Despite the 49ers having the opportunity to alter this narrative, their loss raises questions about the longevity of their Super Bowl competitiveness. The article ponders whether the 49ers’ prime chances for winning the championship are now behind them.
Notably, the NFC West comprises more than the Rams and 49ers. While the Seattle Seahawks have more recently won the Lombardi Trophy than the 49ers or Arizona Cardinals, they underwent a coaching change in the offseason, with Mike Macdonald taking over from Pete Carroll. The Cardinals, still seeking their first Super Bowl win, have Jonathan Gannon entering his second season as their head coach. Despite challenges, Gannon led the team well in the previous season, exceeding expectations with competitive performances.
Although each NFC West team has positive aspects, Shanahan, Macdonald, and Gannon have yet to guide their teams to Super Bowl victories. McVay, having achieved this feat, contributes to the Rams’ favorable standing. The article suggests waiting to assess the offseason developments before declaring the Rams as the best team in the division. The 49ers, with a talented roster, face concerns about Shanahan’s coaching limitations, while the Seahawks and Cardinals aim to establish their long-term leadership. The stability of having McVay as the Rams’ coach is seen as a potential advantage for the upcoming season and beyond.
Regardless of whether McVay secures another Lombardi Trophy, the significance lies in having obtained one in the first place. Observers now consider McVay as possibly the most successful active coach in the NFC West and perhaps the entire NFC, positioning the Rams favorably.