The Los Angeles Rams just waived receiver/returner Xavier Smith on Friday, a move that completely flips what special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone told reporters earlier this week. Ventrone was out there saying the team wasn’t even *considering* a change at punt returner, and then BAM, Smith is gone. Talk about mixed signals, right? It really makes you wonder what’s going on behind closed doors.
Wait, So We WEREN’T Considering a Change?
Ventrone’s statement that they weren’t looking to switch things up at punt returner feels like ancient history now. Smith had been the Rams’ primary punt returner for the past two seasons, so it wasn’t some random guy getting reps. This wasn’t a minor tweak, this was a full-on personnel shake-up, directly contradicting what the coordinator said. You gotta imagine that puts a little pressure on the coaching staff to explain themselves, or at least deliver some results fast.
Mistakes Were Made, And They Were Costly
Look, sometimes you just make too many critical mistakes, and it catches up to you. Smith’s had a few of those moments, including one deep in L.A. territory last week against Denver. He fielded a punt that seriously looked like it was heading for a touchback in the third quarter of that eventual loss. Those kinds of blunders can absolutely kill momentum and flip field position in a tight game. Over the first three weeks this season, he was averaging 9.9 yards per punt return and 20.6 yards per kick return. While he hadn’t caught a pass yet in 2026, he did log 18 catches for 303 yards back in 2025. Still, it seems the return game’s errors were just too much to overlook.
What’s Next for the Rams’ Return Game?
So, with Smith out, who’s stepping up? The Rams’ unofficial depth chart had Konata Mumpfield listed as the backup punt returner. It’ll be interesting to see if he actually gets the nod and what he can do under pressure. The Rams are taking on Philadelphia this Sunday, and you know Philly’s special teams are always ready to wreak some havoc. This isn’t just about a roster spot, it’s about shoring up a critical part of their game before it costs them another W. All eyes will be on that return unit.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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