Rams replace Harrison Mevis with Blake Grupe

The Los Angeles Rams replaced kicker Harrison Mevis with Blake Grupe, signing the former New York Jets practice-squad player on Oct. 17, the New York Post reported. The move gives a 2-3 team another change on special teams before its matchup with the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.

Grupe arrives after making all 11 of his field-goal attempts and 10 extra points during his second-half stint with Indianapolis last season, the Post reported. His performance offers recent NFL experience at a position where Los Angeles has repeatedly changed personnel.

Key Takeaways

• The Rams signed Grupe from the Jets practice squad after replacing Mevis.
• Grupe converted 11 field goals and 10 extra points with the Colts last season.
• Los Angeles had used 11 kickers in seven seasons since Greg Zuerlein left after 2019.

Rams special teams face another change at kicker

The change is striking in physical terms: the Post listed Mevis at 6-foot-1 and more than 250 pounds, while Grupe is 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds. The difference is about 100 pounds, but the football question is whether the new kicker can settle into the operation quickly.

That operation involves more than the kicker. The Post reported that Grupe had only two days to build timing with long snapper Joe Cardona and holder Ethan Evans, alongside learning protection assignments and the rhythm of the unit. Those connections matter on field-goal attempts and extra points, where a clean snap and hold are part of the play.

Grupe described adjusting to a new team as a matter of getting comfortable, while noting the factors involved in switching cities and organizations, the Post reported. His perfect field-goal mark with Indianapolis is a useful recent benchmark, but his Rams performance will come in a different setting and with different teammates.

Rams special teams have seen repeated turnover

Los Angeles has used 11 kickers in the seven seasons since Greg Zuerlein left following the 2019 season, according to the Post. Grupe is the latest addition to that turnover at the position, rather than a continuation of a long-running kicking partnership.

The changes have extended beyond kicker. The Post reported that Alex Bachman handled punt returns and Jordan Whittington handled kickoffs, giving the Rams different players in both return roles. Head coach Sean McVay said injuries and roster changes had created “a lot of moving parts” and that the team was still “continuing to figure out some of our identity” on special teams.

Coordinator Bubba Ventrone remained in the role after the Rams fired Chase Blackburn during the previous season, the Post reported. McVay had publicly backed Ventrone and said no coaching changes were coming, according to the outlet. Ventrone also brought in special teams players Grant Stuard and Cardona during the offseason and helped select Grupe, the Post reported.

The personnel churn makes execution a central challenge for a unit that must coordinate kick coverage, returns, snapping, holding and kicking. McVay’s comments point to the difficulty of building consistency while roles and personnel shift; they do not establish that one change alone will resolve the problems.

Arizona is the next test after the Buffalo loss

The Rams’ latest result was a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Post reported. The outlet characterized special-teams breakdowns as part of a broader pattern, including a kickoff-coverage problem and an issue with the field-goal operation in that game.

The Post also pointed to earlier postseason special-teams mistakes, including blocked field goals against Philadelphia last season and a muffed punt in the NFC Championship game. Those examples frame the outlet’s criticism of the unit, but the immediate focus is whether Los Angeles can execute more cleanly with another kicker and a changing group of specialists.

Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, the Post reported. The matchup gives Grupe and the reshuffled special-teams group their next opportunity to work together in a game, with the Rams entering at 2-3.