The Los Angeles Rams have signed special-teams standout Grant Stuard to a two-year deal, continuing their efforts to overhaul a unit that struggled in the 2025 season and NFC championship game.
The signing of linebacker Grant Stuard is more than just a depth addition; it’s a targeted acquisition in the Rams’ urgent mission to fix a special teams unit that nearly derailed their 2025 playoff run. Stuard arrives in Los Angeles as a proven leader and ace, having served as a captain for the Detroit Lions last season. His reputation as a relentless special-teams contributor is built on five years of NFL experience, during which he has consistently excelled in the phase of the game that often gets overlooked until it catastrophically fails.
Stuard’s journey to the Rams is unconventional. A former Mr. Irrelevant—the final pick of the 2021 draft by Tampa Bay—he has carved out a durable career not as a defensive starter but as a special-teams specialist. While he logged significant defensive snaps in only one of his five seasons, he played 79% of the Lions’ special teams snaps in 2025 and even added three kickoff returns to his résumé. This versatility and durability are precisely what the Rams need, as their special teams breakdowns were both chronic and acute last season.
The problems were glaring. Missed blocking assignments, missed tackles, and a disastrous muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the NFC title game in Seattle underscored a season-long crisis. These errors came at the most costly moments, turning potential momentum swings into deficits. The dysfunction was so severe that head coach Sean McVay made the first significant in-season coaching change of his tenure, firing coordinator Chase Blackburn last December. The move signaled organizational frustration and a recognition that the unit needed a complete philosophical overhaul, not just personnel tweaks.
Enter new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who was hired to replace Blackburn. Ventrone’s connection to Stuard dates back to their time together with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, when Ventrone was the assistant special teams coach. This existing relationship is a strategic advantage, as Ventrone already knows how to deploy Stuard’s specific skills within his system. Ventrone’s subsequent successful three-year stint as Cleveland’s coordinator further validates the Rams’ bet on his ability to rebuild the unit from the ground up.
The Stuard signing is part of a broader, multi-pronged effort. Last week, the Rams also brought in veteran long snapper Joe Cardona, a two-time Super Bowl champion returning to his native Southern California after a decade in New England and a season in Miami. Cardona provides immediate stability and championship experience to a position that had been a source of inconsistency. On the core kicking units, the Rams are retaining placekicker Harrison Mevis—who missed only one of 67 combined attempts after replacing Joshua Karty midseason—and punter Ethan Evans, both of whom showed promise amid the turmoil.
Why This Matters: The Championship Calculus
For a team that reached the NFC championship game despite its special teams woes, the upside of a fixed unit is immense. The Rams’ offense and defense are built to compete with anyone; a reliable special teams phase could be the difference between a conference title and another crushing playoff exit. Stuard represents the kind of selfless, high-energy player who sets the tone for that unit. His leadership from his Lions captaincy is as valuable as his on-field performance.
The fanbase’s frustration has been palpable, with every miscue magnified by the team’s proximity to the Super Bowl. These moves—firing Blackburn, hiring Ventrone, signing Stuard and Cardona—are a direct and aggressive response. They demonstrate that McVay and the front office are leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of a championship. The pressure is now on Ventrone to translate this new personnel into consistent execution when the games matter most.
The Road Ahead
The Rams’ special teams overhaul is still in progress, but the blueprint is clear: veteran leadership, proven scheme fit, and accountability. Stuard is the prime example—a player whose value transcends traditional defensive stats. His ability to excel on kick coverage, punt returns, and as a blocker addresses multiple failure points from last season. Combined with the continuity of Mevis and Evans and the upgrade at long snapper, the foundation is being rebuilt with speed and purpose.
As the 2026 season approaches, the Rams will be scrutinized not just for their star offensive and defensive players, but for the often-forgotten third phase. Every kickoff, punt, and field goal attempt will be a referendum on this extensive overhaul. The signing of Grant Stuard is a critical early step in that process, signaling that the Rams are serious about correcting a fatal flaw that almost cost them everything.
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