The Los Angeles Rams have cut kicker Harrison Mevis following a costly overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills. The team is signing former Saints kicker Blake Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad to stabilize their special teams unit.
The Los Angeles Rams have released kicker Harrison Mevis, a decision made just one day after he missed two field-goal attempts in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. According to a person with knowledge of the decision, the move represents a significant shakeup for the Rams' special teams unit. The Rams are simultaneously signing former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe, who was recently on the New York Jets' practice squad.
Mevis, who joined the Rams midway through last season to replace Joshua Karty, struggled significantly this year. He is 5 for 9 on field-goal attempts, the most misses in the NFL through five games. In Monday's game against the Bills, Mevis missed an early 50-yard attempt, and his 48-yard try in overtime was blocked by Buffalo linebacker Greg Rousseau. Head coach Sean McVay stated afterward that the placekicking unit "cost us the game tonight," highlighting a recurring issue for the Rams, who have been plagued by poor special teams play since the start of last season.
Grupe is a four-year NFL veteran who spent his first two and a half seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He was released by New Orleans last November but finished strong with the Indianapolis Colts, making all 11 of his field-goal attempts before losing a training camp competition to Spencer Shrader this summer. His signing marks the Rams' fifth kicker in four seasons since the departure of Matt Gay, the kicker for their Super Bowl-winning team in the 2021 season.
Mevis had previously shown promise, making 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts in his first NFL season and going 6 for 6 in the playoffs. However, his only miss in that span came in a one-point overtime loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle. Despite his solid start last year, his struggles this season led to his quick departure from the Rams roster.