The Los Angeles Rams are shaking things up at kicker, with Blake Grupe stepping in for Harrison Mevis just in time for Sunday’s game. This isn’t just a minor swap; it’s a make-or-break moment for a position that’s been giving them headaches, and Rams fans are definitely watching closely to see if this move actually pays off.
Kicking Woes and a Second Chance
Let’s be real, the Rams needed a change. Harrison Mevis’s recent performance clearly wasn’t cutting it, and head coach Sean McVay even went on record saying that Mevis’s potential game-winning 48-yard field goal, which got blocked by Gregory Rousseau, would have missed even if it wasn’t touched. “I didn’t think it would have gone in, I did not,” McVay told reporters, noting the trajectory wasn’t aligned. Ouch. That’s a brutal assessment for a kicker. So, in comes Blake Grupe, getting his shot. Now, Grupe’s story is pretty wild himself. He was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2023, but they cut him loose in late November after a rough start. The Colts snapped him up the very next month, and that’s when Grupe transformed. He went absolutely spotless the rest of the way, nailing all 11 of his field goal attempts and all 10 extra points. Talk about a bounce-back! And get this, he wasn’t really asked to make long kicks in New Orleans, but with the Colts, he promptly boomed a career-long 60-yarder. That’s the kind of precision the Rams are desperate for.
McVay’s Take and Roster Moves
McVay seems pretty confident in Grupe’s vibe, saying, “He has a nice demeanor about himself. There’s a quiet confidence, but a humility that you want. I’m looking forward to seeing him produce and then I think it’s part of our job to put him in positions that have successful outcomes. Ideally, it’s more extra points than anything else.” That’s classic coach-speak for “we need him to hit the easy ones and not screw up.” Beyond the kicking situation, the Rams also made a couple of other roster moves on October 17. They activated offensive lineman Keagen Trost from reserve. Trost, a 25-year-old 6-foot-4, 311-pound offensive tackle, was a third-round pick (93rd overall) in the 2026 draft and has been sidelined on injured reserve since just before the regular-season opener. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein praised him pre-draft for his “broad, proportional build and plays with good body control/firmness through contact.” They also elevated cornerback Cam Lampkin from the practice squad.
The Rams need a win more than anything on Sunday, and Grupe is right in the spotlight. Can he bring that Colts precision to his new team? How long will McVay’s leash be? All eyes are on Grupe to see if he can deliver the points they desperately need.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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