The Los Angeles Rams lost just their fourth game of the season, and they can still earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, though they no longer control their destiny in that regard. Despite that, Rams head coach Sean McVay has made a drastic final decision.
It comes in the wake of several others that seemed to be leading directly to his latest action.
McVay emerged with gripes about multiple items from before, during, and after the game, but he was swift in carrying out his plan this time.
Rams HC Sean McVay Fires DC Chase Blackburn
GettyLos Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that McVay fired Rams defensive coordinator Chase Blackburn.
Schefter noted it was a “rare” decision.
“The Rams’ special teams played a role in three of the team’s four losses this season, including Thursday night’s defeat in Seattle, and now changes are being made,” Schefter reported on X on December 20. “This represents the first in-season coaching change that Rams head coach Sean McVay ever has had.”
Schefter also shared a video of Seattle Seahawks returner Rashid Shaheed’s punt return that went for a touchdown on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16.
Per Schefter, Ben Kotwica will take over for Blackburn.
Sean McVay Called Out Error on Punt Return
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
McVay fired Blackburn, who won two Super Bowls as a player and was in his third season with the Rams. However, the head coach’s ire, as it relates to Shaheed’s return, was in the execution of the punt.
That would seem to suggest punter Ethan Evans was at fault in that particular instance.
“I saw a flat low kick that was not at all intended for what we wanted,” McVay said on December 19. “You give a guy like that an opportunity, and that’s where the momentum flipped.”
According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Shaheed said of the return, “”We’ve been focused on that left return, field return, all week. We knew that they had kind of a weak point with their special teams and we were able to circle the punt team and make a big play.”
The Rams were up 30-14 at that point, but five straight possessions without points.
That includes a missed field goal by Harrison Mevis, which allowed the Seahawks hang around before securing victory in overtime.
Rams Have Changed Entire Special Teams Operation
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
Blackburn’s exit is the culmination of weeks of complaints from fans over the Rams’ special teams issues that were varied and frequent.
The Rams rank 17th in yards per punt return, and 26th per kick return, as well as the seventh-best starting field position after “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16, per Pro Football Reference.
They allow the fewest yards on average on kick returns, but also the most per punt return.
Teams average the ninth-most yards against them per punt return, but they have the 10th-worst starting field position.
The Rams switched from Joshua Karty to Mevis at kicker several weeks ago. Karty is now a member of the Rams’ practice squad. McVay and the Rams also move on from long snapper Alex Ward in favor of two-time Pro Bowler Jake McQuaide.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams Make ‘Rare’ Final Decision on Polarizing Super Bowl Champion appeared first on Heavy Sports.