Rams Could Still Move On From HC Jeff Fisher Next Year, Despite Contract Extension

Sources tell Aldon Gonzalez of ESPN reports that they believed the new contract extension signed by Rams HC Jeff Fisher includes a team option and it’s still possible Los Angeles could part ways with Fisher after the season and only owe him one more year of salary.

Fisher reportedly signed a two-year extension during the offseason but for some reason, the Rams never announced the contract.

“It’s never been my personal position to go ahead and release that stuff,” Fisher said after Sunday’s game. “I’m very appreciative with respect to Stan, knowing what we were going through. It somehow got out. I’m expecting to be the coach of this franchise. However, I understand that the wins and losses fall on my shoulders. That’s the fact of our business, and I get that.”

According to Gonzalez, the extension doesn’t appear to guarantee Fisher much beyond his compensation and is viewed more as a “token of appreciation” from owner Stan Kroenke. Gonzalez mentions that the decision to give Fisher an extension may have been to prevent him from entering the year as a lame-duck coach.

The Rams have struggled again this season and Gonzalez believes Fisher’s new deal wouldn’t prevent them from moving on and looking for a new head coach or general manager next year.

Fisher did say that he expects to be the team’s head coach for the 2017 season.

“Yes, I do,” Fisher said. “I’ve got some work to do here to finish up strong. You know, we have some personnel issues to deal with and get better. And we have some issues to deal with from an offensive side of the ball.”

Since taking the job in 2012, Fisher has led the Rams to a record of 31-43-1 (42 percent), which includes four straight seasons of less than eight wins and no playoff appearances.

We’ll have more regarding Fisher’s status with the Rams as the news is available.