Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is a "sneaky name to watch" among potential head coaching hires this offseason, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday.

"I hadn't heard his name much earlier, but I did enough over the past week that it's worth mentioning," Fowler wrote.

People around the NFL are interested by Shula's "work and demeanor," according to Fowler.

Sean McVay's staff members have a track record of landing leadership roles across the league. Former Rams staffers turned head coaches currently include the Green Bay Packers' Matt LaFleur, Cincinnati Bengals' Zac Taylor, Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell and Atlanta Falcons' Raheem Morris.

Shula took over for Morris ahead of the 2024 season following his departure for the Falcons.

He has worked with the Rams since 2017, originally serving as a defensive assistant for McVay before rising to pass-rush coordinator and linebackers coach and then defensive coordinator.

Shula's defenders shone in Week 15 during the Rams' 12-6 division rivalry win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners conceded the loss having accumulated just 191 total yards of offense, a regular-season low in eight seasons under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Shula is the grandson of Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. He was interviewed for the Dolphins for their defensive coordinator job ahead of the 2024 season, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

ESPN's Adam Schefter estimated in November that there would be between seven and nine head coaching openings ahead of the 2025 season.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel signed a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, but ESPN's Dan Graziano reported after Week 14 that some people around the NFL "have their eye on Miami and wonder whether there's a change if things end badly this season."

The Dolphins' playoff chances sunk further following a Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. If McDaniel ends up in the hot seat, the Dolphins could potentially look to turn to the grandson of their winningest head coach in NFL history as a replacement.