"By no means are we where we need to be for what we're striving to accomplish," McVay continued, "but I think in terms of what we were trying to get done in the offseason program, we felt like it was a successful offseason program — came out of it relatively healthy, where the guys that we're really counting on, they're all expected to be ready to roll by the time training camp hits."

McVay's positivity extended to the members of his coaching staff, many of whom have extensive experience. He specifically pointed out defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, assistant head coach/linebackers Joe Barry, special teams coordinator John Fassel, and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer as individuals he leaned o0, being a first time head coach.

"They've kind of help shape the way we've been able to do things and give that advice on, 'Hey, here's how we've seen it done when it's been right,'" McVay said. "That allows you to adjust and tweak things. And I think the players were great, in terms of being coachable — being receptive to some of the new things that we're asking them to do on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, and doing a couple things differently with just the way we meet and practice."

One of the most important aspects of this first offseason program for McVay was beginning to build relationships with the players. The head coach said himself that process is inherently tilted toward the offense, since that's where he spends much of his time teaching the playbook. But McVay made a conscious effort to ensure he was forming bonds the defense, too.

"Anytime that you got 90 players on your roster, you want to make sure that you have that interaction with all of them," McVay said. "I think, as a whole, the guys have done a great job of being receptive, really, not just to me, but to our coaches. But it's an on-going process. I look forward to staying in touch with them, but leaving them alone a little bit over this break and continuing to get to know them as we get back together.