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3h ago

Rams Fire Special Teams Coordinator Chase Blackburn After Seahawks Collapse

The move marks Sean McVay’s first in-season staff change, with Ben Kotwica expected to oversee the unit as Los Angeles approaches the playoffs.

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Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn reacts after San Francisco 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) is called for pass interference against tight end Colby Parkinson (86) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 3: Chase Blackburn of the Los Angeles Rams speaks with members of the media after an OTA offseason workout on June 3, 2025 in Woodland Hills, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Los Angeles dismissed Blackburn two days after a 38-37 overtime loss in Seattle that included Rashid Shaheed’s 58-yard punt-return touchdown and a missed 48-yard field goal.
  • The in-season firing is the first coaching change of McVay’s nine-year Rams tenure, underscoring urgency to fix persistent special-teams issues.
  • Assistant Ben Kotwica is expected to take over special-teams duties, and Blackburn was removed from the team’s website, according to multiple reports.
  • Special teams have factored into three of the Rams’ four losses, despite earlier roster switches at kicker (Joshua Karty to Harrison Mevis) and long snapper (Alex Ward to Jake McQuaide).
  • The defeat dropped the Rams to 11-4 and cost them the NFC West lead and current No. 1 seed, putting seeding pressure on the final two regular-season games.