There is truly no such thing as a "perfect" roster in the NFL, although the Los Angeles Rams got about as close as you possibly can in the 2026 offseason.
The Rams assembled the latest version of a "super-team" in 2026, going out and making moves to get Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie to upgrade an already great defense, then signing legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald out of retirement.
For the first time in history, an NFL team had the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year on the same roster. If there were Lombardi trophies handed out for winning the offseason, the Rams would have gotten one, there's no question about it.
Unfortunately, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay overlooked one critical component of the roster that has been plaguing the team for years, and it's bitten them early this season: Special teams.
Los Angeles Rams struggling early in 2026 with special teams (again)
It would be one thing if the Rams' struggles on special teams were a surprise, but they aren't.
At the end of the 2025-26 season, special teams came into focus for the Rams after a lost fumble on a punt return in the NFC Championship Game. After that debacle cost them the game against the Seahawks (and a shot at the Super Bowl), it was pointed out that no team has had a worse special teams unit in the NFL since 2020.
It's pretty remarkable how much worse the Packers and Rams have been at special teams compared to everyone else in the 2020s (playoff included) pic.twitter.com/MRhKFMjaUX
— Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) January 23, 2026
It wasn't that long ago that the Rams actually cut the player who muffed a punt in the NFC Championship Game (Xavier Smith).
After a thrilling game on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills ended in defeat, the Rams were forced to make another brutal move on their special teams unit. They cut kicker Harrison Mevis after he missed a 50-yard kick and had a game-winning attempt blocked in overtime.
When you look at the Rams' roster on paper, all you can focus on is the offense and defense. They are absolutely loaded with stars on both sides of the ball. However, in the NFL, you have to be good in all three phases of the game to be a true championship contender.
The Rams are awful on special teams, and have been for quite some time.
For a team whose general manager is as aggressive as they come, it's rather shocking that Les Snead hasn't been more in tune with his team's need for help on special teams.
And it wasn't just the kicking of Harrison Mevis contributing to the loss in Week 5, but botched coverage on a 70-yard kickoff return by the Bills as well. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone was hired this offseason to fix that unit, and it's anything but fixed.
With the Rams now sitting at 2-3 and looking up at the 3-2 Seahawks and 5-0 49ers, the panic button is being pressed a little bit. There is still a lot of season left, but this is an issue that could bite the Rams at the worst possible time, no matter how far they end up making it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google