Bubba Ventrone has to hope he makes the right choice on Rams' next kicker

The Los Angeles Rams cannot distance themselves from kicking chaos. Just one game after former kicker Harrison Mevis cost them a win in Week 5, his replacement Blake Grupe suffered a season-ending injury making a touchdown-saving tackle. Not only is his season over, but he was also gone early in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals.

As a result, the Rams spent most of the afternoon with the severe handicap of not having a kicker. They are now 2-4 after losing, 18-16, on a walk-off field goal for a second straight game. Los Angeles is shopping for a kicker once again.

Forget an upgrade. The Horns are scrambling to add someone who can simply kick extra points and perhaps occasionally nail a field goal. Well, they've cast their net and have opted to work out two veterans: Brandon McManus and Matt Prater.

After the Grupe experience, the Rams may insist on signing one kicker to the active roster and another to the practice squad.

Is this all too much, too little, too late? Some think so. But while the sun may be setting on present Super Bowl hopes, finding a kicker who can anchor a better special teams unit would be a solid step in the right direction. Let's investigate the two options.

Bubba Ventrone's job may depend on making the right choice of kicker

Brandon McManus

At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, McManus certainly checks the durability box. After nine seasons with the Denver Broncos, he spent a year with the Jaguars and the past two seasons in Green Bay. He was ruthlessly accurate for the Packers in 2024.

Unfortunately, he wore out his welcome in 2025. He made only 6 of 12 field goals from a distance of 40+ yards. McManus has an 82 percent career mark on field goals and 97.4 percent on extra points.

He'll do just fine in a pinch. His greatest drawback is the fact that he is 35 years old. He is not a permanent solution, even if he wins the job.

Matt Prater

If McManus is getting up in years, Prater, 42, is already over the hill. In a venerable 19-year career, he has started for the Lions, Bills, Cardinals, Broncos, and Falcons. He last kicked for the Bills in 2025, nailing 18 of 20 field goals and 46 of 49 extra points.

Prater brings in an 83.8 clip on field goals and 97.1 percent on XPs. His year-to-year consistency is worth noting. He banged one through from 62 yards in 2023.

Ventrone will already be adding his third kicker to the Rams roster. It could be three strikes and he's out. Obviously, it's vital that he hires the right guy.

As always, thanks for reading.

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