Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay took his most aggressive actions to address the team’s special teams woes during the 2025 season, changing over every specialist position except for punter Ethan Evans, including on his coaching staff.
That continued this offseason, specifically regarding the coaching staff.
However, there is some blowback over McVay and the Rams’ follow-up decision heading into the offseason.
Sean McVay Questioned Over Rams’ Latest Addition
GettyCleveland Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone calls a play during training camp.
After dismissing Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn during the season, McVay dismissed his replacement and former assistant, Ben Kotwica, this week. The Rams were linked to a replacement in the immediate aftermath. Almost as quickly, they have landed their target.
“#Rams hiring Bubba Ventrone, per a league source, to lead their special teams,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on January 29.
The move fills what ESPN’s Sarah Barshop called the Rams’ “secondary priority.”
“What is one secondary priority to watch? Fix their special teams problems,” Barshop wrote in an article from January 25. Coach Sean McVay fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn on Dec. 20 after the unit cost the Rams their Week 11 game against the Seahawks. Los Angeles also changed kickers and long snappers midseason.”
Ventrone spent 10 seasons in the NFL, playing in 97 games during his career. A former safety who spent time with the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers, he has been in the NFL coaching ranks since 2015.
Ventrone began his coaching career with the Patriots and had a stint with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Browns noted that Ventrone “helped the Browns kicking and punting units set several franchise records during first season as special teams coordinator with the Browns,” citing kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez. “The Browns also led the league with three blocked field goals in 2023.”
However, ominously enough for the Rams, 2025 was different for Ventrone and the Browns, who averaged the eighth-fewest yards per punt return and the second-fewest per kick return.
They ranked 10th in field goal percentage and 20th on extra points. Moreover, the Browns had the ninth-lowest kickoff average. Opponents also racked up the most punt return yards against them during the year.
The game will always come down to players and execution.
However, there is a strong consortium of Browns fans who pinned various losses over the past few seasons on Ventrone’s units in Cleveland.
Fans Weigh In on Rams’ Decision
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
McVay and the Rams’ decision to bring Ventrone on sparked strong reactions, particularly from Browns fans.
“Rams fans, I’m so sorry,” one fan posted in the comments under Wilson’s report on LA hiring Ventrone on Thursday. “When I tell you the 4 win Cleveland Browns are a 7 or 8 win team with any other ST Coordinator leading that unit, I’m not even exaggerating. He’s that bad. And been that bad.”
Another fan pointed to the Browns’ “historic” loss to the New York Jets in Week 10 during the 2025 regular season that saw Cleveland allow a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown. They also surrendered a 74-yard punt return touchdown in that contest.
McVay took responsibility for the Rams’ struggles on special teams last season.
The decisions to change their kicker and long snapper worked. McVay and the Rams need Ventrone to get better results in LA than in Cleveland.
Rams Add Polarizing Contributor to Address ‘Priority’ Issue