Rams cut kicker Harrison Mevis after botched field goal attempt in overtime 'cost us the game'
Los Angeles Rams Replace Kicker Harrison Mevis with Blake Grupe After Overtime Loss to Buffalo
The Rams’ 37‑34 overtime defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night ended a season that has been defined by a shaky kicking game, prompting head coach Sean McVay to cut ties with Harrison Mevis and bring in former Jets practice‑squad player Blake Grupe.
After a 50‑yard field‑goal attempt fell short in the first quarter, the Rams’ hopes for a game‑winning kick were dashed when a 48‑yard attempt in overtime was blocked, sealing the Bills’ win. In the wake of the loss, McVay told reporters that the special‑teams unit was “not even close to good enough” and that the missed and blocked kicks “cost us the game.” The coach’s criticism came after a season that has seen the Rams miss or lose 81 kicks since he took over in 2017, the third‑most in the NFL.
Mevis, nicknamed the “Thicker Kicker” because he weighs 245 pounds, was signed to the Rams’ active roster last November. He posted a 92.3 % field‑goal rate (12‑of‑13) and a perfect 100 % extra‑point percentage (39‑of‑39) in nine games during the 2023 season, and went 6‑of‑6 on field goals with nine extra points in the playoff run. The first five games of the current campaign have been less successful, with Mevis making just five of nine attempts.
“We felt like we hit it good,” Mevis said after the game, “That’s all I can tell you. I mean, I hit it good, gave it a chance. I’ll have to look.”
The Rams released Mevis on Tuesday, the same day NFL Network reported the move, and signed Grupe from the New York Jets’ practice squad. Grupe, 27, has appeared in 86 of 106 field‑goal attempts (81 %) and 96 of 98 extra‑point attempts (98 %) over three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. He finished the 2023 season with the Colts and, in five games, was perfect on 11 field‑goal attempts.
“Having a reliable kicker is essential for us to be competitive,” McVay said. “We’re looking for someone who can stabilize the position moving forward.”
The Rams have seen opponents block three of their kicks since the start of the last season, tying for the most in the NFL according to ESPN. With Grupe’s experience and past performance, the coaching staff hopes to tighten the kicking unit and avoid further costly special‑teams mishaps.