LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams will have a new coordinator for the third season in a row, as former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur replaces Liam Coen, who returned to the University of Kentucky in the same role.

While the roster might be to blame -- the Jets went through a quarterback shuffle last season that included benching 2021 No. 2 pick Zach Wilson -- the New York offense struggled in two seasons under LaFleur.

Over that time, the Jets ranked 31st in points per game (averaging 17.8), 27th in yards per game (312.3), 31st in expected points added (EPA) per play (-0.06) and 30th in total QBR (36.9).

LaFleur will certainly step into an improved situation in Los Angeles, despite the fact the Rams are coming off a 5-12 season that was by far the worst offensively since coach Sean McVay was hired in 2017.

While LaFleur’s hire is unlike other new coordinators because this is still McVay’s offense, here are the looming questions as he begins his tenure:

Where can LaFleur make the biggest impact?

Obviously, LaFleur will have a crucial role in play-designing, but perhaps the biggest impact will be what he can take off McVay’s plate.

A few weeks after the season, after McVay informed the team he would remain the team coach instead of stepping away, general manager Les Snead said there will probably always be discussions about how to help McVay balance his workload going forward. Snead likened McVay’s work to “running an 800-meter sprint every week since he got our job.”

“I don't know how to determine whether it's to delegate more, but somehow, basically take his weekly rhythm and make it more sustainable,” he added.

Even if McVay doesn’t give up playcalling -- and indications are he will not -- the Rams are hopeful that LaFleur will be part of the solution that Snead was referring to.

In his introductory press conference Tuesday, LaFleur said he and McVay have “had some of those conversations” about delegating, but that the focus right now is on finalizing the offensive staff and getting acclimated to Los Angeles. The conversations about his responsibilities “will come along,” but starting next week, the staff will “really hammer home this roster, figuring out what we got and what we need to do moving forward and then putting together the offense.”

What did he learn from his two years in New York?

One thing LaFleur has experience with is building a young roster. And while the Rams will still have their core in their prime next season, the fact that they have spent so much money to keep those players means they typically have to depend on either draft picks in the later rounds or other less experienced players to fill out the roster. Snead said last month that the Rams are projecting they will have 10 draft picks in 2023, although most will come on Day 3.

“We decided two years ago we were going to go young and we did, and we committed to that,” LaFleur said. “... It was a great learning experience about building a roster with a lot of youth, and I was proud of a lot of the things we did.”

If LaFleur can help develop some of that young offensive talent Los Angeles will have as the Rams build this roster, that could have a big impact on a team that was forced to depend on the group last season because of injuries.

What excites him about his new job?

LaFleur said joining McVay and the Rams was “a pretty simple decision.”

“You're going into an organization that has won, knows how to win, wants to win, has the right system and process and culture in place to win, and to be able to do it with great people, not just Sean, but the rest of the staff,” LaFleur said.

The offensive coordinator noted he has a history with quite a few members of the coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Raheem Morris in Atlanta in 2015 and 2016.

But while the chance to work with McVay was obviously a priority, it was clear LaFleur is also excited for the chance to coach quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“Matthew, even in his time in Detroit, you'd be in awe at a lot of the stuff that he can accomplish on that field,” LaFleur said. “... Just by again knowing Raheem, knowing Sean and how highly regarded they feel of Matthew, so it's going to be fun.

“A lot of times, coaches can teach players a lot of things but in more instances players can teach coaches a lot of things too. So I'm excited to get working with him, learn from him, and whatever I can provide for him, I'm going to do. I can't wait to start building that relationship with him.”

What can he do for the running game?

While the offense struggled to move the ball consistently as a whole in 2022, it was the running game that especially struggled. The Rams finished the season ranked 19th in Football Outsiders’ rush DVOA, but that was impacted greatly by the superb end to the season by running back Cam Akers. Prior to his final three games of the season, where he totaled 345 yards on 63 carries, the Rams ranked 27th in that category.

The Jets had an impressive running game behind rookie Breece Hall to start the season before he tore his ACL. In seven games, Hall ran for 463 yards and four touchdowns on 80 carries. At that point, the Jets ranked 10th in rush DVOA; they finished the season ranked 19th.

The Rams likely don’t have a talent like Hall at the position right now, but could lean on LaFleur to help improve the running game in 2023.