Jeff Fisher admitted it Sunday after his Rams got obliterated by the Patriots — he and the team reached a contract extension before the 2016 season began. So he had to know these questions would come at some point.
That point was Sunday, hours after news broke of the two-year extension Los Angeles and its coach kept secret for months.
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Fisher, 58, has been an NFL head coach since 1994, his first season with the Houston Oilers. He's used to criticism. But as his career coaching record (173-163-1) inches closer to .500 and his Rams close in on their fifth losing season in their fifth year under Fisher, the criticism is mounting.
So one can only imagine the reaction when the public learned of Fisher's contract extension.
Kudos to the media present at Fisher's postgame conference Sunday. They forced the coach to answer the tough questions swirling in the minds of Rams fans and the NFL world.
Below is a transcript that includes those questions and Fisher's answers.
Q: Jeff, some news broke today that you got a contract extension, and I wonder if you’ve done enough to warrant a contract extension?
JF: You know, the discussion started at the end of the year, last year. Then they moved into the off season, so I agreed with the organization well before the season started.
Q: Was there a contract extension during the summer?
JF: Yes, sometime in the offseason. It’s not my personal position to go ahead and release that stuff, so I was very appreciative with respect to Stan (Kroenke), knowing what we were going through. And you know, it somehow got out. So, I am expecting to be the coach of the franchise, however, I fully understand that the wins and losses fall on my shoulders. You know, that is the fact of our business. And I get that.
And as I said, I’m not looking over my shoulder, I’m doing everything I can, on a daily basis, to get this team to win football games.
Q: What would you say to fans in Los Angeles who are kind of scratching their heads asking how they could give Jeff Fisher a contract extension?
JF: Well, I would tell them the truth, that this was done well before the season started. It was done well before we had 90,000 people in the (Los Angeles) Coliseum for our first preseason game. And you know, we're just moving forward, that’s what we are doing. Trying to put our product on the field, we’ve lost some close games, you know, and we are struggling offensively. That’s where it is at. That stuff is out of my control.
Q: Jeff, why do you think they announced it?
JF: I don’t know, it is out of my hands. You know, we had a lot going on this offseason. A lot of stuff going on, so I don’t know. It’s not my place to make that announcement.
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Q: Was it difficult for you as we were asking you week after week and you told us there was an understanding with the owner? Were you getting anxious that no one has announced this at all?
JF: No, I wasn’t at all. Again, it was not my place to announce it. And I don’t know where it came from and how the timing, it just ended up coming out today. Yes, I am confirming it. And again, I am excited about this opportunity. Stan knows what we have been through and he knows the direction we are headed as a franchise.
Q: Is it signed or is it still just an agreement?
JF: I’m not going to go into detail. OK?
Q: I mean, if it’s not signed, then it’s not done.
JF: It’s been signed.
Q: Jeff, do you expect to be the coach in 2017?
JF: Yes, I do. I’ve got some work to do here to finish up strong. You know, we have some personnel issues to deal with and get better. And we have some issues to deal with from an offensive side of the ball.