Chase Blackburn gets unexpected ex-Eagles ST star after latest signing

The Los Angeles Rams seem to sprinkle a little bonus for ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn into the roster every year. In 2023, the team drafted Wingate punter Ethan Evans and signed undrafted long snapper Alex Ward. In 2024, the team completed the special teams set by drafting Stanford kicker Joshua Karty. So what is left to do? Hmm. Rams GM Les Snead seems to have done it again.

The Rams need help at punt returner. Per Lineups.com, the Rams were the worst in punt returning. The Rams averaged just 1.1 yards per punt return. Curiously, the Rams were not alone. The Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys all bounced along the bottom in that category. Hopefully, the Rams will be the team to break the tie by making significant improvements. The Rams returned 18 punts in 2024, two by RB Kyren Williams and 16 by WR Xavier Smith. Combined, the pair put up 161 punt return yards.

The Rams believe they can do better. And to do so, they've signed former Philadelphia Eagles WR/PR Britain Covey. How good is Covey? In 2022 and 2023, he more than doubled the amount of punt return yards posted by the Los Angeles Rams team single-handedly. And now, he brings that punt return prowess to the Rams roster:

Britain Covey stands 5-foot-8, weighs 173 pounds, and can fly down the football field with a 4.43-second time in the 40-yard dash. He never became much of an offensive weapon for the Eagles, hauling in 11 of 14 passes for 76 receiving yards for the Eagles. But he was very dangerous at returning punts, putting up 33 punt returns in 2022 for 303 yards. He followed that up by returning 29 punts in 2023 for 417 yards. He was also used as a kick returner.

Covey suffered a neck injury in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season, negating his potential postseason contribution.

The Eagles quickly moved on from Britain Covey in free agency, leaving Covey's NFL future in doubt. But he will join the Los Angeles Rams and face his former team in 2025. Eagles fans were mixed about the team finding such an effective special-teams player, only to walk away from him. But Bleeding Green Nation's Brandon Lee Gowton suspects that the Eagles were wary of extending Covey after an injury-marred 2024. And the team found plenty of success without him.

But if you wonder why the Rams would want to add Covey, this ought to help.

The Voice's Jimmy Kempski makes a solid argument for Britain Covey's punt return expertise, and since Covey is joining the Rams, it's worth a read. Some view Britain Covey as a low-risk, high-reward addition. After trialing former Eagles RB Boston Scott in 2024, it's fair to suggest that Covey is simply going to follow a similar track.

But there are reasons to see differences in Britain Covey. Unlike Boston Scott, Britain Covey is not a seasoned NFL veteran. He is a young NFL player who is emerging from his rookie contract. His best years are likely ahead of him. And unlike rookies, he arrives to the Rams with a solid set of superb special team statistics.

Some fans may pooh-pooh Britain Covey's arrival on the Rams roster, but I'm excited about it. I suspect that ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn is thrilled as well. He just added the best punt returner in the NFL from 2023 for nothing. One more special team specialist will only make the Rams that much more dangerous.

Judging by the 2024 ST rankings, Britain Covey scratches an itch that many fans did not know the Rams had. As always, thanks for reading.

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