Livid Sean McVay acts to salvage special teams with inspired hiring

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams locked up a playoff berth more than a week ago. And yet, the team has not been complacent. LA's special teams have been horrendous this year, leading to the mid-season firing of special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.

It is heartbreaking to grasp that the team's four losses this season have been partially due to a breakdown in special teams play.

Head coach Sean McVay was visibly incensed during his TNF post-game press conference.

The need to make a change reached such a critical mass that Blackburn was shown the door mid-season, the first time that Coach McVay has ever made a mid-season firing. But the change will only improve special teams if the new coaches are capable of working a miraculous turnaround.

Assistant special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica will assume the duties of overseeing special teams going forward. And McVay has announced the hiring of former Philadelphia Eagles special teams assistant Matt Harper to help turn things around over the final two games.

Hiring Matt Harper is an inspired gamble that just might work

Matt Harper has been an assistant special teams coach for 12 seasons: Eight years with the Philadelphia Eagles and four years with the San Francisco 49ers. The synergy of pairing Ben Kotwica with Matt Harper may be a gamble, but it certainly appeals to the fans' hopes of achieving better special teams performances.

Kotwica's superpower is in the big picture. He is the grandmaster of strategy who gives special teams a chance to excel at coverage and returns. Harper is the guy who works magic with specific players like kickers, punters, and return specialists.

LA had attempted to replicate Philly's special teams success by signing running back Boston Scott in 2024 and wide receiver Britain Covey in 2025. Both players were outstanding in special teams roles for the Birds. But neither player was able to secure a roster spot.

Now the front office has upped the ante, bringing in a former Eagles coach to help in shaping the unit with existing players. Will it make a difference? Perhaps.

The team has not abandoned kicker Joshua Karty. And the team still has a chance to improve from disastrous results. After all, if the team lost only four games with a terrible special teams unit, any improvement to the group could make a huge difference. Now, it's up to Ben Kotwica and Matt Harper to deliver.

As always, thanks for reading.