It's show up or start packing for this struggling Rams player

ESPN's NFL analyst Bill Barnwell names Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty as a player to watch in his most recent article about coaches and players who are on the hot seats with their respective teams.

And it's something that makes sense this season, as the post-game comments from head coach Sean McVay seemed to conceal a veiled threat to the team's placekicker.

But the threats may have fallen under the category of "word to the wise." Why the sudden change of heart?

You can attribute that to head coach Sean McVay himself, as he seemed to walk back his hidden message spoken earlier. In fact, the coach stated outright in advance of LA's Week 7 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars:

"Josh Karty is a guy that I am ready to stick with."

Okay. That's that. But is it that easy? Not so fast. While the Rams stuck with Karty throughout 2024, the story was far different the previous season. So, what could compel them to turn the comforting solace into a pink slip?

Not as much as you may suspect.

Joshua Karty is under the microscope from now on

The truth of the matter is that Karty is struggling. It happens. However, he is currently among the least accurate field- goal kickers in the NFL. Unless that improves dramatically and suddenly, the clock is ticking on his tenure with the team. It's nothing against the kicker, but the NFL is a results-oriented sport.

Los Angeles is not reluctant to release kickers. In 2023, it released four of them: Tanner Brown, Christopher Dunn, Brett Maher, and Lucas Havrisik.

Right now, Karty is completing 71.4 percent of his field goals and 87.5 percent of his extra points. In 2023, Los Angeles cut Brett Maher (73.9 percent FG, 86.7 percent XPt accuracy) and Lucas Havrisik (75.4 percent FG, 86.4 percent XPt accuracy).

It's certainly in the danger zone right now.

Karty needs to improve. Not even reassurances from a head coach at a podium can save a roster spot for a struggling placekicker. With the game on the line, whether it's a bad snap, bad hold, or porous blocking, everyone in the stadium expects the kicker to make that field goal.

If he cannot, eventually, the general manager will be expected to sign someone who can.

As always, thanks for reading.