Rams Special Teams Taking Major Blow in Free Agency

After the most recent wave of player departures, the special teams unit for the Los Angeles Rams has quickly become an area that will need to see some overhaul this offseason.

The Los Angeles Rams are beginning to look like a skeleton crew across what was once a Super Bowl-winning roster. The 2021 season sure feels like ages ago.

And after the most recent wave of player departures, LA’s special teams unit has quickly become an area that will need to feature a handful of new and experienced faces if the Rams want to put together a bounce-back season.

While special teams is hardly something that both NFL front offices and fans alike would ever overlook, it’s also far from the sexiest thing to address during a busy offseason where free agency signings on offense and defense dominate the headlines.

As of now, LA is without a starting-caliber kicker and has no punter currently on the roster. Luckily, the season doesn’t begin tomorrow so there’s time to adjust. 

But come September, the Rams will have to get used to playing without the comfort of kicker Matt Gay or the leg of punter Riley Dixon. Gay is set to play with the Indianapolis Colts next season while Dixon will be suiting up for the Broncos.

And though his impact was only truly felt this past season when many of the team’s young guns had no choice but to step up due to a crazy amount of injuries, the departure of receiver/returner Brandon Powell, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, stings a bit from both an offensive and special teams perspective.

Powell was a speedy and solid receiver but has been known more for his return ability throughout his career, as he's fielded 49 punts for 470 yards and a score, as well as 57 kickoffs for 1,119 yards.

Of course, the Rams won't begin the season without a starting kicker or punter and could put speedy receiver Tutu Atwell back to return kicks. 

But already entering the long offseason after a season of adversity, losing primary faces on special teams certainly doesn't help a Rams team that's looking to pick up the pieces after a 5-12 campaign.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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