When Sean McVay was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, he became the youngest head coach in modern NFL history at 30. He has already established his status as the winningest coach in Rams history, but he initially made some personal decisions he later regretted.
Sean McVay Reveals Why He No Longer Brags About Sleeping Less
When it comes to sleep, McVay has long been known for operating on very little rest. Back in 2019, NBC Sports reporter Peter King met the Rams head coach at his home before his early-morning commute to the team facility. At just 4:10 a.m., McVay was already preparing for the day despite having slept only four and a half hours the previous night.
The moment proved just how little importance McVay once placed on getting adequate sleep. However, he has started to rethink that mindset over the years and recently reflected on the unhealthy work habits he embraced earlier in his NFL career.
“I used to like almost think it was cool to be able to get away with not sleeping,” McVay said. “That is the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever heard.”
“I mean, like it’s crazy to me though, because when your job is to deal with people and to be patient and to be understanding and to communicate, to connect and to listen to understand, you know, you got to establish healthy habits that are in alignment with sustaining this when there’s a lot of external stressors that the season entails,” he added.
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McVay’s current perspective aligns with what experts have long spoken about the importance of sleep. Whether for professional athletes, coaches, or everyday people, quality rest plays a big role in both physical recovery and mental sharpness. A lack of sleep can negatively affect concentration, emotional control, and decision-making, all of which are essential for someone leading an NFL franchise.
Speaking with Mike Silver in 2022, McVay shared how he has made a greater effort to prioritize rest, especially during the football season. He revealed that on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, he now makes sure to get at least eight hours of sleep. McVay also discussed the benefits he has experienced from adopting healthier sleeping habits and maintaining a more balanced routine.
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At the same time, McVay clarified that his habit of waking up at 3 a.m. is not about proving how hard he works or trying to impress others.
“I just think I can get up earlier, I can get a lot more stuff done,” McVay said. “I’ve always been one of those people that when I get up, I’m firing, I’m sharper in the mornings. But once the evenings come around, I’m a little bit more edgy, I’m a little bit more irritable… I start earlier, so it’s the same amount of time a lot of people put in.”
As McVay enters another highly anticipated season, expectations surrounding the Rams continue to grow. The Rams are heavily favored to win the Super Bowl, and if Matthew Stafford stays healthy, they have all the tools to achieve their goal.
Stafford won the MVP last season and finished in the No. 6 spot of the PFSN QB Impact Rankings. Moreover, the Rams’ defense will be way better in 2026 as they traded for two big-time playmakers in Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett.
