Rams GM Les Snead disputes report of toxic relationship with Coach Jeff Fisher

No problem. Everything is fine. Nothing to see here.

That was the message Rams General Manager Les Snead and Coach Jeff Fisher delivered separately Friday in the aftermath of the latest controversy that has surrounded the struggling team.

Snead and Fisher each disputed a report that appeared on Sports Illustrated’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” website that described their relationship as toxic.

“The working relationship is good,” Snead said during a meeting with reporters at the Rams’ facility in Thousand Oaks.

“Les and I have been on the same page since Day One,” Fisher said later after practice. “We communicate all the time, we work together, we make decisions together and I don’t know where it’s coming from — I’ll find out.”

Fisher and Snead were hired before the 2012 season. Both are in the final year of five-year contracts.

Before or early this season, they each received a two-year extension — news that did not come to light until this week. But the Rams have yet to publicly announce or acknowledge the deals, leading to speculation that their return in 2017 is not guaranteed.

The Rams are 4-8 heading into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Coliseum.

The franchise has been reeling in recent weeks from controversies surrounding Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s refusal to attend games while Fisher is the coach, and also fan reaction to the extension Fisher received despite a 31-44-1 record.

The latest imbroglio began after news of the extensions broke hours before the Rams’ 26-10 loss at New England on Sunday.

On Tuesday, when asked about Snead’s extension, Fisher said he was “unaware” that the general manager had been extended. He also said, “We need to do a better job from a personnel standpoint.”

The comments were interpreted by some as collective self-criticism at best and, at worst, a personal shot at Snead.

On Thursday, a story by Albert Breer on the MMQB website described a rift between Fisher and Snead. Citing unnamed sources, the story said the Rams building had earned the nickname “Rams Junior High” and that Fisher and Snead’s relationship had been described as “toxic.”

“Definitely inaccurate,” Snead said.

“Les and I are fine,” Fisher said. “We work together. We talk every day.”

Snead does not typically address beat reporters in group settings during the season. But in the aftermath of the MMQB story, he answered questions about his working relationship with Fisher and issues facing a team that could finish without a winning record for the 13th consecutive season.

Snead said he did not take personally the comments Fisher made Tuesday.

“I didn’t blow it out of proportion in any way,” he said.

Snead said that he respected Fisher “immensely” and that they worked together “from the start, in every decision. ... Especially from a personnel standpoint.” He said he was aware an extension for Fisher was in the works.

“The big picture was, the organization wanted us to continue partnering, and get this thing right, get it turned around, tip it in the right direction, what we’ve been saying from the beginning,” he said.

Snead joked that he and Fisher “don’t go hunting and fishing together ... because I always say I’m the only guy from Alabama who doesn’t hunt and fish. And I’ve said to Jeff, ‘You should’ve grown up in Alabama, I should’ve grown up in Southern Cal.’ Because he goes to Montana.”

While disavowing the MMQB story’s portrayal of his relationship with Fisher, Snead said it would spur him to try to address the reason for the descriptions.

“What I like to look into in those situations is why did it come out and what are the basis of those frustrations,” he said.

Asked if he was confident that he would be the Rams’ general manager next season, Snead said, “I’m confident we’re playing Atlanta. And I think all of those decisions should and always be put off to the end of the season.”

Fisher said “there are no issues” between him and Snead. Both expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s record.

“We agree to disagree and we’ve had a fun run, but we’re certainly disappointed — as I said on Tuesday — in the outcome and where we are,” he said. “We’ve got work to do, but we’re doing it together.”

Fisher said he spoke to Snead about his Tuesday comments after the MMQB story was published.

“I took the transcript and I gave it to Les,” he said. “Then, I took the article and I said, how do you connect the dots? You can’t connect the dots.”

After fielding several questions, Fisher made it clear he wanted to move on.

“Enough is enough, Les and I are good, we’re all good,” he said. “Our focus is on Atlanta right now.”

Quick hits

After being absent Wednesday because of what he described as “a little stomach deal,” quarterback Jared Goff returned to practice and said he felt better. “Fatigued me a little bit,” he said, “but I’m good.” …. Running back Benny Cunningham (neck) did not practice and is doubtful for Sunday’s game.

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This article was originally published at 12:20 p.m.