Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is leaning into a previous decision, clarifying a lingering situation before facing the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11.
Just a few days after saying he would not “pigeonhole” himself into anything regarding the Rams’ kicking operation, McVay confirmed plans to stay with Harrison Mevis as the team’s kicker, while the Rams signed long snapper Jake McQuaide to their 53-man roster.
They also parted ways with one of the players they replaced in the operation.
Rams Sign Jake McQuaide to 53-Man Roster, Waive Alex Ward
GettyJake McQuaide #43 of the Detroit Lions leaves the field following a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff.
The Rams announced in a post on X on November 10 that they had “Waived, No Recall LS Alex Ward” and “Signed from Practice Squad to Active Roster LS Jake McQuaide.”
McQuaide, who is in his second stint with the Rams and was with the team while the organization was still in St. Louis, was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017. He has also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings in his career.
He was last with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McQuaide has 198 appearances, compared to 38 for Ward, a former undrafted free agent who was in his third season with the Rams.
The “no recall” part of the designation means that the Rams cannot re-sign Ward, even once he has cleared waivers. That will happen sometime around 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, or 24 hours after they announced the decision, should he go unclaimed.
Rams Sticking With Harrison Mevis
GettyHarrison Mevis #92 of the Missouri Tigers celebrates after kicking a field goal during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats.
McVay told reporters on Monday that the Rams will stick with second-year former undrafted free agent Harrison Mevis at kicker. Mevis took over kicking duties for 2024 sixth-round pick Joshua Karty in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers and went 6-for-6 on extra points.
The Rams did not attempt a field goal in the contest.
While that remains an unknown for Mevis, who had never kicked in an NFL regular-season game before Week 10 with the Rams, he did earn himself another week on the job.
“Sean McVay said Harrison Mevis will remain the team’s kicker for Week 11 vs. Seahawks,” TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson reported on X on November 10. “They will continue to work with Joshua Karty on his development.”
Given the Rams invested draft capital into Karty, it makes sense to retain him.
Moreover, with Mevis still an unknown on field goals, Karty, who was 10-for-15 on FGAs and 23-for-26 on point-after tries, could still have a path back to playing time.
Sean McVay Spoke Candidly About Rams’ Kicking Woes
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
McVay suggested changes were coming for the Rams’ kicking unit following the team’s win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 9.
“It’s got to get better. We’re going to be able to figure out how to be able to fix this, but it can’t continue like this with regards to our kicking operation. I’m not going to get into blaming anybody specifically. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility. It’s gone on for too long, and we got to be able to fix it,” McVay told reporters on November 2. “That was, obviously, not ideal. We’ve leaned into it, and there are some instances where it’s not getting better.”
McVay also previously noted the Rams had frequently discussed the issue.
“At the end of the day, you have to have the clarity and the courage to be able to make the decisions that you think are best,” McVay told reporters on November 2.
“What I’m not going to do is pigeonhole myself into anything that’s other than this week. And I think we always talk about being totally and completely present, taking things one day at a time, controlling what we can, and let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Perhaps another strong showing will convince McVay to stick with the Rams’ current plan.
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