No one on Rams coaching staff is under more pressure than Bubba Ventrone

Los Angeles Rams fans continue to feel the positive vibes after trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Garrett was not, however, the first member of the Cleveland Browns organization to be imported into Los Angeles. That distinction belongs to special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who was hired in late January.

Not every fan loves the choice. The majority remain on the fence, taking a cautious wait-and-see stance for now. An enormous burden of pressure lies on Ventrone's shoulders. The NFC Championship Game culminated multiple losses attributable to special teams breakdowns last season.

To right this ship, Ventrone will have to maximize the Rams personnel he inherits. Punter Ethan Evans, kicker Harrison Mevis, and return specialists Xavier Smith and Jordan Whittington headline the group of returning special teams playmakers, along with some-time contributors Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers.

Ventrone assumes critical task of redefining Rams special teams play

Although Ventrone is entering unfamiliar territory, venturing beyond the AFC North Division and out of the AFC altogether, he does have the benefit of bringing his former assistant, special teams coach Kyle Hoke, along with him to Los Angeles. It won't be easy, but if the pair can coach the Horns out of shooting themselves in the hoof, the 2026 group can have plenty of upside.

That starts with the reliability of Mevis, a former UFL kicker. Despite arriving midseason, he booted all but one of his field goal attempts through the uprights. Better still, he converted his 39 extra-point attempts. He was an outstanding six-of-seven from the ever-important 40-plus yard range on field goals, a solid accomplishment.

While the Rams stabilized the placekicking situation by swapping in Mevis for Joshua Karty, punt and kickoff coverage was painful to witness all through the year. Although Evans averaged 46.3 gross yards per punt (good enough for just 23rd place), his 39.6 net yards per punt were only good enough for 27th place.

Ironically, the Browns' averaged only 38.8 net yards under Ventrone, and they had two punts blocked. Hopefully the Rams will give him the resources to produce better results.

Why should fans feel optimistic, given the unit's woes just a year ago?

For starters, the team's addition of long snapper Joe Cardona should instantly improve blocking security on field-goal attempts. The Rams suffered several game-altering blocked kicks in 2025. Cardona is also superbly effective in covering punts. He managed five tackles last season, four more than the Rams got from the long snapper position as a whole.

General manager Les Snead did not stop there. He also added Detroit Lions special teams stud Grant Stuard. A Swiss Army knife playmaker, Stuard recorded 19 tackles across 375 special teams snaps and made three kickoff returns for an average of 24 yards.

Los Angeles cannot expect All-Pro performances from special teams. But that should not be the expectation. Merely eliminating egregious errors will be enough to put the group back on track. That is exactly what Snead aimed for by hiring Ventrone and adding the likes of Cardona and Stuard.

Yes, the additions of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson and edge rusher Myles Garrett have rightfully hogged the headlines. Just don't overlook the Rams' special teams changes, either. What may appear to be minor upgrades bolster a unit with plenty of room to get better, patching a crucial weakness on what was already a Super Bowl-contending roster in 2025.

As always, thanks for reading.

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