Brief

Sean McVay backs special‑teams staff as Rams shuffle kicker and tackle

McVay says he trusts special‑teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and hopes new kicker Blake Grupe will revive the unit ahead of the Cardinals game.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:56:25 GMT

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Thursday that he has "a lot of confidence" in special‑teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and that the unit will not see staff changes, even as the team released struggling kicker Harrison Mevis and signed former Jets practice‑squad player Blake Grupe. The comments came after the Rams’ Monday night overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills and the suspension of left tackle Alaric Jackson.

What happened

Following a 37‑34 overtime defeat by the Bills on Oct. 13, the Rams cut kicker Harrison Mevis on Tuesday and added Blake Grupe, who had been on the New York Jets practice squad. The move was made ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. On the same day the NFL announced that Jackson had been suspended for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubbin after the game; the suspension was later reduced from two games to one.

What the reports add

McVay recalled a phone call from then‑Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin after McVay was hired in 2017, using the anecdote to illustrate the constant pressure of coaching. He also highlighted Grupe’s readiness, noting the kicker’s statement that he had been staying prepared for five weeks. Grupe’s recent NFL experience includes a stint with the Indianapolis Colts, where he made all 11 field‑goal attempts.

What was said

"You’re always ready for inevitable things to come up," McVay told the press, according to the Los Angeles Times. He added, "I have a lot of confidence in special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, and no changes are going to be made to that staff position." Grupe said, "For these last five weeks, I’ve been staying ready, been doing what I need to do to take advantage of an opportunity." Veteran lineman David Quessenberry, who is expected to start in place of Jackson, said, "This is kind of why I’m here, when things like this happen… I’m fired up."

How it came about

The Rams entered the week with special‑teams criticism lingering from a blocked field goal in the Bills loss and a series of penalties that hurt the team’s overall performance. Earlier in the season, McVay had hired Ventrone as special‑teams coordinator and added long‑snapper Joe Cardona and linebacker Grant Stuard during the 2026 offseason. The recent personnel moves aim to address the unit’s shortcomings while maintaining continuity in coaching.

Key facts

Rams released kicker Harrison Mevis and signed Blake Grupe (latimes.com)
Left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended for one game after striking a Bills player (latimes.com)
Coach Sean McVay said he has confidence in special‑teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone (latimes.com)
Blake Grupe previously made all 11 field‑goal attempts with the Indianapolis Colts (latimes.com)
Veteran David Quessenberry is expected to start at left tackle in Jackson’s absence (latimes.com)