Fixing Rams' special teams will take more than a kicker change

The Los Angeles Rams' special teams have been anything but special this season. In fact, they're dead last. That's horrific, particularly for a team with high expectations but fighting off multiple key injuries. Within this persistently poorly-performing group, speculation and conjecture are running rampant.

The problems with another underperforming kicker are history. Now let's do a wider sweep of the Rams' struggles in almost every special teams category.

In short, why is it taking so long to get it right?

Rams may eye further special-teams changes

They suffered similar setbacks in 2025. Unfortunately, the team did not pull the trigger on changing field goal kickers until Week 9. By that time, Joshua Karty had only made 10 of 15 field goals and 23 of 26 extra points. This season, LA cut ties with kicker Harrison Mevis after five games.

But there are more trouble spots to address.

Rams' blocked kick is deja vu, again

I rewatched Greg Rousseau's field goal block over and over. The Buffalo Bills overloaded the left side of the line. The center blocked nobody, while a tight end was forced to block four defenders on the left end. Rousseau merely stepped across the line of scrimmage, stood up, and timed a jump to block the football as it left Harrison Mevis' foot.

Ethat Evans may be a problem

The common thread for both failed kickers is punter Ethan Evans, the holder on field goals. Both Karty and Mevis started hot and finished ice cold. At some point, the microscope will turn to Evans.

When it does, it will find some concerning trends. Evans has a 47.4 gross yards average, good enough for only 20th place. His 38.2 net average ranks 30th. To put this in stark contrast, the Kansas City Chiefs' 47.3 net punting average is basically equivalent to Evans' gross.

Evans is kicking himself off the Rams' roster.

Rams' coverage units remain trouble spots

The addition of cornerback Damarion Williams is a step in the right direction. Known as 'Pepe' with the Baltimore Ravens, Williams was a standout on special teams at covering punts and kickoffs. He was released by the Ravens after an injury and has struggled to stick on an NFL roster ever since.

Los Angeles continues to sprinkle special teamers into their steady stream of free agent signings, hoping for an upgrade with each one. Pepe Williams may be part of the solution. He split his time between defense and special teams in 2022 and put up 24 tackles that season.

While the aggregate of struggling special teams is poor optics, the Rams merely need one or two players to step up. If they get solid production out of new kicker Blake Grupe, close games could become winnable once more.

And if Williams and others deliver better coverage on punts and kickoffs, LA's defense will take the field in better field position.

Where the Rams go from here

Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone finds himself on the hot seat. But after inheriting his initial group of specialists, he is becoming more assertive in swapping out the old guard for players who fit his specifications.

General manager Les Snead is getting active. Even after a flurry of roster moves in the wake of a disappointing Week 5 loss, he could be preparing to make even more drastic changes if special teams do not respond.

As always, thanks for reading.

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