McVay quashes speculation about future, says he's 'committed' to coaching

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay shut down speculation about his future Saturday, stating he won't step away from football after Super Bowl LVI.

"I'm committed to this team and coaching," McVay texted Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The speculation began after the 36-year-old left his future open-ended, saying he plans to prioritize spending time with his family. McVay reportedly considered working as a TV analyst as an alternative to coaching.

"I love this so much that it's such a passion, but I also know that what I've seen from some of my closest friends, whether it's coaches or even some of our players," McVay said Friday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "I'm gonna be married this summer. I want to have a family and I think being able to find that balance but also be able to give the time necessary. I have always had a dream about being able to be a father, and I can't predict the future, you know?"

He added: "I don't really know. I know I love football, and I'm so invested in this thing, and I'm in the moment right now. But at some point, too, if you said what do you want to be able to do? I want to be able to have a family, and I want to be able to spend time with them."

Others have temporarily halted their coaching careers to become TV analysts in the past. Jon Gruden worked for ESPN from 2009-17 after spending seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won Super Bowl XXXVII. He eventually returned to the NFL to coach the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018.

McVay has established himself as one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds. Over five seasons with the Rams, he's posted a 55-26 regular-season record while helping Los Angeles make two Super Bowl appearances.

The 2017 Coach of the Year will try to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.