The rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams may not be what it was in its heyday. Even with the Rams' relocation to Los Angeles, it still isn't what it once was. Of course, the 49ers did manage a sweep of the Rams in 2016, but those two victories were their only two of the season.
Both teams' offseasons may rekindle the rivalry. The 49ers and Rams each made coaching changes in an attempt to catch up with the rest of the division – more specifically, the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams made former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay, 31, the youngest head coach in NFL history. The 49ers hired the man many consider to be one of the best young offensive minds in football – former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Both hires look like improvements over each team's previous regime and McVay had something to say to Shanahan on Friday while meeting with local media.
"I can't tell you how happy I am for you, but I can't believe I have to see you twice a year," McVay said according to ESPN beat writer Alden Gonzalez.
McVay to Shanahan on getting 49ers job: "I can't tell you how happy I am for you, but I can't believe I have to see you twice a year."
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) February 10, 2017
McVay actually interviewed for the 49ers job on January 9 while Shanahan had planned to meet with the Rams, but never did. One thing is for certain, 49ers-Rams matchups for the foreseeable future should be a lot more interesting. Tussles between Jeff Fisher and Chip Kelly twice a year just didn't have the same ring to them.