INDIANAPOLIS — When the Packers hired Matt LaFleur to be their head coach in January, you likely saw the headlines or the chatter on social media:
Rams head coach Sean McVay now had a coaching tree.
McVay himself brushed it aside, at one point saying he was "too young" to have a coaching tree. But given the history between him, LaFleur, and now Zac Taylor as head coach of the Bengals, there's probably an argument to be made in favor of the foliage.
LaFleur, of course, was the Rams' offensive coordinator under McVay during the 2017 season, before L.A. let him out of his contract to make a lateral move in title to coordinate the Titans offense in 2018. Part of the reason that happened was so that LaFleur could become a full-time playcaller for the first time in his career.
That worked out well for LaFleur, who said at the NFL Combine on Wednesday that he "learned a lot" as the Titans' OC.
And it's part of why LaFleur was so complimentary of McVay when asked about his takeaways from working with the Rams' head coach both in L.A. and in Washington under former head coach Mike Shanahan.
"Sean is a tremendous leader," LaFleur said. "I think a lot gets made about his age and what not — I think he's wise beyond his years. I just learned so much from him in terms of how important that communication is — not only with your staff, but with your players — and developing relationships, and, ultimately, being true to yourself. What you see is what you get from him. And he is a genuine guy. I think the guys, they love playing for him. And I can speak to being on the same staff as him — I loved coaching with him. He's just a genuine guy and he's made of the right stuff."
LaFleur and McVay shared only one year together in Los Angeles, but they were a part of the same staff in Washington from 2010-2013 — with LaFleur as the quarterbacks coach and McVay as the tight ends coach. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan was also on that staff under his father as the team's offensive coordinator — which makes three head coaches out of that offensive group.
"It's kind of surreal," LaFleur said of that fact. "And it's something that — not that we have a lot of time to sit back and reflect — but it is pretty cool to see some of your closest friends in life, and you're all kind of living your dream. And, you know, it's going to be even more fun when we compete against each other on Sundays. But, no, it's a really cool experience."
And not that they're exactly exchanging tips on scheme and opponents at this point, but given that the three men are friends, LaFleur said he's been able to lean on both McVay and Shanahan in his first couple months on the job.
"[I]t certainly is helpful for me to have guys like that, that have already gone through this process — because it's something that, there's stuff that comes up that I've got to bounce off those guys," LaFleur said. "So it's a huge advantage for me having those two guys in place that have already gone through it."
Check out photos of Los Angeles Rams players at the NFL Combine through the years. (Credit: Associated Press)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jared Goff - 2016
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Brockers - 2012
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Aaron Donald - 2014
Todd Gurley - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Troy Hill - 2015
Aaron Donald - 2014
Cory Littleton - 2016
Michael Brockers - 2012
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Jared Goff -2016
Cory Littleton - 2016
Troy Hill - 2015
Robert Woods - 2013
Cooper Kupp - 2017
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Gerald Everett - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Cooper Kupp - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Andrew Whitworth - 2006
University of Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Gerald Everett - 2017
Robert Woods - 2013
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oregon State University wide receiver Brandin Cooks at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser (LB24) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler participates in the broad jump during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen participates in the vertical jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee running back John Kelly (RB19) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe during the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Washington linebacker Cory Littleton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler sticks his tongue out while stretching before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California receiver Robert Woods runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe, left, blocks North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Images taken of Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers looks on at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods looks on at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods poses for a portrait at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas running back Malcolm Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
University of Pittsburg defensive tackle Aaron Donald runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Rob Havenstein runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, right, blocks Mississippi tight end Evan Engram as they run a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Boston College safety John Johnson competes in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey is seen at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
