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Sean McVay Is a Brat, and His Excuses Are Getting Old

McVay blamed the kicking unit after the Rams lost to Buffalo. He had chosen to attempt the field goal with a kicker who had already missed.

By TSP Staff
Sean McVay in a blue Rams hoodie speaks at a postgame press conference.
Sean McVay speaks after the Rams’ 37–34 overtime loss to Buffalo at SoFi Stadium on October 12, 2026. · Credit: Video frame: Los Angeles Rams

Opinion

Sean McVay’s habit of making excuses after losses should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed The Sporting Page.

McVay’s Familiar Pattern of Excuses

Sean McVay after the Rams’ losses to Seattle on January 25, San Francisco in Melbourne on September 11 and Buffalo on October 12, 2026, and at his September 17 press conference about Australia. Edited excerpts.
Sources: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle; The Sporting Tribune, Australia; Los Angeles Rams, Australia follow-up; Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo.
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The Rams waived Harrison Mevis on Tuesday and announced plans to sign Blake Grupe from the Jets’ practice squad. The move follows Monday’s 37–34 overtime loss to Buffalo, when Mevis missed from 50 yards and had a potential winning 48-yard attempt blocked.

McVay chose a Kyren Williams run on third-and-five from Buffalo’s 30-yard line. Williams was stopped for no gain. With Matthew Stafford having thrown for 383 yards and three touchdowns, McVay sent out a kicker who had already missed.

“It cost us the game tonight,” McVay said of the kicking operation in the Rams’ postgame comments. He also acknowledged the play-call mistake: “And that’s on me.” Mevis has been waived, but McVay’s decision still deserves scrutiny.

Greg Rousseau got through the Rams’ protection to block the kick.

After January’s NFC Championship loss to Seattle, McVay said the Seahawks had “kind of lucked into” the coverage that stopped a crucial fourth down, calling it a “fortuitous bust.” He also praised Seattle in the same comments. Mike Macdonald acknowledged an execution problem, but DeMarcus Lawrence described deliberately dropping into coverage.

After the 27–7 loss to San Francisco in Melbourne, McVay raised travel in his opening statement while accepting responsibility for his coaching. He later denied travel caused the poor performance.

I’m inclined to believe McVay may trust himself in crunch time more than he trusts Matt Stafford, but that remains to be seen.