Martz OK to return, but settlement likely

Rams coach Mike Martz, who stepped down in October with a heart ailment, has been cleared to return Jan. 1 but is unlikely to come back to the team.

The Rams are expected to reach a settlement with the coach, who has one year remaining on a three-year contract and is due $3.25 million. Martz has clashed with the front office all season and likely would seek a head coaching job elsewhere in the NFL.

John Hadley, a spokesman for Martz, confirmed that the coach had been cleared by his physician. Interim coach Joe Vitt is expected to coach the final regular-season game at Dallas on Jan. 1.

Martz, 54, was offensive coordinator when the Rams won their first Super Bowl in 2000. As head coach, he led them to the 2002 Super Bowl.

Martz coached the first five games this year, going 2-3, before stepping down with a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. The Rams are 5-8 with three games remaining.

Martz was 56-36, including the postseason, when he stepped down. The Rams will miss the playoffs for the second time in his six seasons.

-- The Associated Press