LA Rams special teams will truly be special in 2024, and here's why:

Special Teams Phase II begins in 2024

While the team struggled throughout 2023 to find a viable place kicker and return specialist, the team was happy with the performance of both LS Alex Ward and punter Ethan Evans. So while the special teams group did not flourish, the front office did make significant progress in terms of getting where they needed to be.

There is an old adage that claims good things come to those who wait. Would the loyal Rams fans finally have the special teams enigma solved? Or would the team kick the can down the road one more season?

And then, 2024 arrived. And even more significant progress was in store for this Rams roster. In terms of a return specialist, the front office did not simply look for a young player who might figure out the complexity of the NFL's new kickoff rules. The upcoming changes dictated that this team be a bit more proactive. Not only did the team need a return specialist, but one who was able to analyze the changes to the kickoff rules, and engage in conversation and an advanced level of analysis to help steer the strategy in the right direction.

That was the ideal role for return specialist and veteran running back Boston Scott, who was not brought back by the Philadelphia Eagles. Scott is a hard-working rusher and a fan favorite of Eagles fans who reward effort and production. Over the span of his six-season NFL career, Scott has averaged 7.2 yards per punt return and 22.8 yards per kickoff return. He even returned kickoffs for 66 yards, 46 yards, and 38 yards for the Eagles special teams.

Just for comparison, Austin Trammell averaged 7.3 yards per punt return, but only 16.8 yards per kickoff return in 2023. And his longest kickoff return was 36 yards.

But the Rams were not finished addressing their need for a new kicker.