Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn?
Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn
The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams sit atop a fragile record. However, their league-worst special teams have led to the firing of Chase Blackburn.
This article examines Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn. It looks at why failures on field goals, kicking, punting, and coverage have become a season-defining emergency. Therefore, the front office faces urgent decisions with two games left and injuries piling up.
Coverage breakdowns and missed kicks have cost yardage and momentum, and analysts like Dan Orlovsky have sounded alarm bells. As a result, the coaching shake-up is not cosmetic.
The tone here is critical and alarmist because the Rams cannot afford more margins lost to poor special teams. Moreover, Ben Kotwica’s expected arrival will be judged on immediate fixes, not promises.
Read on for a point-by-point analysis of what went wrong, who bears responsibility, and whether Kotwica can reverse the slide before the playoffs.
Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn
The Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn exposes a deep roster problem. The 11-4 record masks critical failings on field goals, kicking, punting, and coverage. As a result, plays that should be routine have become high-risk for Los Angeles.
Coverage failures have surrendered long returns and hidden field position costs. Moreover, blocked kicks and missed field goals have erased leads. “The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams are struggling on special teams. And by struggling, I mean it stinks.” That blunt assessment captures the mood around the locker room.
Kickoff and punt units have poorly executed lane assignments. Consequently, opponents consistently start drives with short fields. This has forced the offense into riskier game plans, and therefore the defense has faced more pressure and fatigue.
The kicking game has been inconsistent and costly. Missed field goals changed late-game math, and poor kickoff placement eliminated touchback advantages. In punting, hang time declined, and coverage lanes opened. Together, these errors created a cascade of short-term turnovers and long-term momentum losses.
The front office responded by firing Chase Blackburn. Some analysts called the unit a “league-worst special teams group has been dragging this team down.” The move signals urgency. Ben Kotwica arrives with a Broncos pedigree, and he will have to act quickly.
With two games left and injuries piling up, quick fixes must come fast. Otherwise, special teams will remain a playoff albatross. Therefore, this coaching shake-up is more than cosmetic, and the Rams must show immediate improvement.
Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn
The firing of Chase Blackburn was abrupt and necessary. The special teams failures became impossible to ignore. Moreover, misses on field goals, shoddy kicking, weak punting, and blown coverage directly cost wins.
Analysts labeled the unit a “league-worst special teams group has been dragging this team down.” As a result, leadership chose change over patience. The decision signals alarm inside the building and outside it.
Ben Kotwica expected to lead the turnaround
Ben Kotwica brings a proven Broncos pedigree for covering punts and kickoffs (Denver Broncos). Therefore, the front office views him as the best immediate option. Kotwica’s units in Denver showed discipline and lane integrity, and that track record matters now.
“Kotwica will have to act quickly.” He will inherit a unit short on confidence and depth. Injuries have depleted the roster, and the Rams have two games left to restore trust. Consequently, Kotwica faces a short runway to install fundamentals and rebuild execution.
The Rams did try to stockpile specialists, signing Boston Scott in 2024 and Britain Covey in 2025. However, both were cut, which left the unit thin and inconsistent. As a result, Kotwica must coach smarter with fewer reliable bodies.
Reports and context are available in local coverage, including RamsNews analysis and a season-worst primer. For broader NFL context on special teams standards, see ESPN’s NFL section.
In short, Kotwica’s task is urgent. If he cannot restore basic kicking, punting, and coverage fundamentals quickly, the Rams’ playoff path will narrow. Therefore, this coaching change will be judged on immediate, measurable improvements.
| Metric | Los Angeles Rams (Blackburn era) | Denver Broncos (Kotwica era) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall unit ranking | League worst across phases | Efficient and disciplined | Units with discipline flip field position and momentum |
| Field goals | Inconsistent with costly misses | Reliable conversion under pressure | Missed kicks change late game math and outcomes |
| Kickoff placement | Poor touchback rate and short kickoffs | Better placement and hang time | Good placement reduces return chances |
| Punting hang time and placement | Declined hang time and open lanes | Consistent hang time and coffin corner punts | Longer hang time aids coverage and limits returns |
| Coverage effectiveness | Frequent breakdowns and long returns | Disciplined lane integrity and tackles | Coverage failures gift opponents short fields |
| Coordinator stability | Chase Blackburn fired midseason | Kotwica brings Broncos pedigree | Coaching leadership restores fundamentals fast |
| Roster depth and specialists | Stockpiled talent then cut leaving thin depth | More stable coverage personnel | Depth limits a coach ability to install fixes |
| Playoff impact | Immediate threat to postseason path | Model for quick special teams improvement | Special teams can decide tight playoff games |
Conclusion
The Rams special teams struggles and firing of Chase Blackburn have forced an urgent reset. The team sits 11-4, but league-worst results on field goals, kicking, punting, and coverage turned a solid record into a fragile one. Therefore, leadership acted swiftly by removing Blackburn and bringing in Ben Kotwica to stabilize the phase.
Kotwica arrives with a Broncos pedigree for covering punts and kickoffs. However, he inherits a thin roster and injury issues, and he must produce quick, measurable fixes. Moreover, the Rams need better kick placement, improved hang time, cleaner lanes, and more reliable field goal conversions. As a result, the unit must convert fundamentals into consistent execution before the playoffs.
In short, this coaching change is high stakes. If Kotwica can restore discipline and limit long returns, Los Angeles keeps a clearer path to postseason success. Otherwise, special teams will remain the deciding factor in tight games.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was Chase Blackburn fired as special teams coordinator?
Blackburn was fired because the unit failed across multiple phases. Field goals, kicking, punting, and coverage produced costly mistakes. As a result, the team lost field position and momentum. Leadership judged that change was necessary with two games left. Therefore, firing aimed to force immediate improvement.
How did the Rams special teams struggles show up on game tape?
Coverage units gave up long returns and easy field position. Kickoffs lacked touchback consistency, and punts lost hang time. Moreover, missed field goals changed late-game math. Consequently, the offense faced tougher starts and the defense faced more pressure. These failures directly affected several game outcomes.
Who is Ben Kotwica and why is he the pick to replace Blackburn?
Kotwica has recent special teams coordinator experience with the Denver Broncos. His Broncos units showed disciplined punt and kickoff coverage. Therefore, management expects him to restore basics quickly. However, he will need to adapt to the Rams roster and limited practice time.
What changes should fans expect immediately under Kotwica?
Expect a return to fundamentals in practice and games. Coaches will emphasize lane integrity, improved hang time, and cleaner kickoff placement. As a result, coverage tackles should improve and long returns should decline. Fans may also see simplified schemes to speed execution.
Does this coaching change improve the Rams playoff chances?
The change can help, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Kotwica must produce measurable gains in limited time. Injuries and thin depth make rapid turnarounds harder. Consequently, special teams could decide close playoff games. Therefore, urgent progress is essential for a safer postseason path.