Rams can only make so many special teams moves before onus falls on Bubba Ventrone

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead may not be making headlines right now, but he's not done tweaking the roster. On Tuesday, the Rams released cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean and linebacker Elias Neal from the practice squad, and added veteran special teamer Jon Rhattigan in their place.

And to top off everything, they asked long snapper Jake McQuaide, a former Ram, to visit them.

Seven games in, special teams still urgently need attention. Coverage shortcomings were on full display against the Las Vegas Raiders, as LA surrendered multiple massive returns. The solution was to commit to kicking the ball through the end zone. Continually tweaking around the fringes, the Rams keep hoping to find someone who can help cover punts without allowing disaster.

Rhattigan, a free agent linebacker who spent 2021 to 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks, has played over 1200 special teams snaps. Over his five-year career, he has logged more time on special teams than the defensive unit by a factor of 63 to 1. Still, he does bring a bit of depth to a position that saw starter Nate Landman sidelined by a concussion in Week 7.

Will Rams ever get special teams right this season?

While special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone accepted many of the playmakers he inherited from the 2025 roster, that excuse is losing viability. It seems that with every Rams injury, a player with special teams experience fills the vacancy. After multiple roster moves to that effect, fans are rightfully asking to see improvement.

Unfortunately, none seems to be forthcoming.

At 3-4, the Rams can longer just pray and hope that special teams will get better. They need to be capable in all three phases of the game, and that includes the entire array of special team responsibilities.

They were potent enough on offense to overcome turnovers and coverage shortcomings against the Raiders. Still, it's naive to expect the 4-3 Seahawks, in direct competition with the Rams in the wild card chase, to be as accommodating. Even at this fairly early date, the fight for the playoffs is underway. LA has to find NFL-caliber tacklers to cover punts and kickoffs.

It's no longer a luxury to fix. It's a must. And Ventrone's job depends on finding a solution.


As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow