Rams fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn after a 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks.
Decision Behind the Move
A person with knowledge of the Rams’ coaching staff changes told the Associated Press, on condition of anonymity, that the decision had not yet been announced publicly. The 11-4 Rams are playoff-bound and the move marks Sean McVay’s first significant in-season staffing change in his nine-year tenure.
Replacement and Season Context
Assistant Ben Kotwica is expected to take over Blackburn’s role. Blackburn, who is in his third season as the Rams’ special-teams coordinator, had previously played as a linebacker for the Giants and the Panthers before starting his coaching career.
Special-teams play had been a weak point all season. The Rams already changed kickers and long snappers last month after Joshua Karty and his unit missed multiple opportunities to win games against Philadelphia and San Francisco.
How the Loss Highlighted the Issues
The Rams’ 38-37 overtime defeat to Seattle left the team with a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter before a 58-yard punt return by Seahawks’ Rashid Shaheed, following a poor punt by Ethan Evans, tied the game. Harrison Mevis missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt with 2:07 to play, preventing the Rams from taking the lead.
Mevis had taken over after Karty missed five field-goals and three extra-point attempts. He had not missed a kick all season before the attempt went barely wide right.
Key Takeaways
- Rams fired special-teams coordinator Chase Blackburn after the overtime loss to Seattle.
- Assistant Ben Kotwica will replace him.
- The loss and special-teams mistakes may cost the Rams a chance to win the NFC West or earn the No. 1 seed.
With the Rams’ playoff hopes now hanging in the balance, the coaching change underscores how critical special-teams performance is in a tight division race.
