This lackluster Rams is kicking himself to the curb after Week 9 win

The Los Angeles Rams know how precarious the kicker position can be. Since parting ways with veteran kicker Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein, only Matt Gay has lived up to expectations. The team enjoyed a promising rookie season in 2024 from rookie kicker Joshua Karty. So far, the team has been patient, but for how long?

That is up for debate among fans, whose comments on social media during and after the game have turned decidedly against the second-year kicker. Of course, it's not subject to a vote, but gauging the ire of the fanbase may be an indicator of the mood of the coaching staff and team as well. However you size it up, the outlook is not good right now.

Before Week 9, Karty has made 10 of 14 field goals (71.4 percent) and 19 of 21 extra points (90.5 percent). But with Week 9 factored in, his field goal success plummets to 66.7 percent, while his extra point success tumbles to 88.5 percent. Like it or not, those are the numbers that send kickers packing.

Now, it's up to head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead as to how much patience the team continues to invest in their kicker.

Rams must believe there are better options out there

It's not a simple task to cut a struggling place kicker, even one that falls below a success rate of 70 percent at field goals. Right now, Karty is flirting with that floor. But he did not cost the team a victory, so there's that.

Karty is struggling, but so is the entire field goal unit. From not placing the laces correctly, to poor blocking techniques, to mental mistakes that lead to penalties, to tipped footballs on their way to the uprights, the factors that have led to the struggles are certainly not limited to the place kicker. But at some point, troubleshooting the causality leads to frustration,

Head coach Sean McVay may be reaching his breaking point. He did not hold back in his post-game comments about the kicking unit.

If the team cuts Karty, they don't currently have a Plan B on the roster. That complicates the calls to cut him outright. While the team may pursue outside help, don't expect any personnel changes instantly. Right now, Les Snead is swamped with making calls over the next two days to exhaust all options before the NFL trade deadline on November 4.

Solving the kicking problem takes a back seat to that deadline, for now.

Meanwhile, the Rams' convincing win elevates the team to a record of 6-2, and among the best teams in the NFC right now. Only the 7-2 Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots have a better record.

As always, thanks for reading.