Sean McVay admits Rams’ biggest flaw after landing elite special teams coordinator

The Los Angeles Rams did not fall apart on offense or defense last season. They moved the ball well and stayed competitive in most games. The real damage came in the margins. Bad starting field position, shaky coverage units, and little impact in the return game kept putting extra pressure on both sides of the ball. Sean McVay saw it all year, and he finally said it out loud.


That weak spot had a name. Special teams. And now the Rams have made a direct move to fix it with one of the most respected coaches in that phase.

Rams fix a major special teams problem with the Bubba Ventrone hire

On January 30, 2026, ESPN insider Tom Pelissero reported news confirming that Los Angeles was serious about change.

“The Rams have signed Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator, per sources. Special teams were a massive weakness last season for L.A., which now lands one of the NFL’s best.”


That description matched the numbers. The Rams finished the 2025 season ranked near the bottom of the league in opponent average starting field position, regularly giving offenses shorter fields after kickoffs and punts. Their kick coverage unit allowed multiple returns past the 30-yard line, wiping out strong defensive series. The return game did not provide relief either, as Los Angeles rarely generated explosive runbacks to flip momentum. Those hidden yards added up fast. Sean McVay pointed to those field-position swings during his late-season media availability and made it clear the Rams needed new leadership on special teams heading into 2026.



The Rams fired Chase Blackburn on December 20, 2025, after continued struggles. Assistant Ben Kotwica stepped in as interim coordinator to close the year, but the front office wanted a proven tone-setter. That search led to Bubba Ventrone.


Bubba Ventrone built his NFL career on special teams excellence. He entered the league in 2005 from Villanova and carved out a long career with the Patriots, Jets, Browns, and 49ers. Coaches trusted him as a core team player, and teammates voted him Special Teams Player of the Year in 2014. He also served as special teams captain for multiple seasons, which shows the leadership he brings to the locker room.


As a coach, Bubba Ventrone developed a reputation for disciplined units and strong situational awareness. His background in New England’s system helped shape that approach. Those details matter to Sean McVay, who wants consistency and accountability in a phase that cost the Rams too often in 2025.


Los Angeles kept offensive continuity as well. Nate Scheelhaase remains on staff after the Browns hired Todd Monken. That allows Sean McVay to focus energy on rebuilding special teams without reshuffling the offense. Sean McVay called out the problem. Now the Rams have a coordinator whose whole career centres on fixing it.









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