Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Rams make change to coaching staff after special teams meltdown

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 9:03 AM ET

The Los Angeles Rams only have one major weakness this season, and it was on display on Thursday night in their 38-37 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. It also may have cost them the division and the potential No. 1 seed in the NFC.

That was enough to convince head coach Sean McVay to make a major, late-season change to his coaching staff.

Rams fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn following Thursday's meltdown

Special teams has been a season-long issue for the Rams, and Thursday's game ended up being the breaking point for McVay when it comes to his special teams coordinator, Chase Blackburn.

The Rams fired Blackburn on Saturday.

The final straw may have been the fourth-quarter punt that resulted in Seattle's Rashid Shaheed returning it 58 yards for a touchdown. At that time, the Rams had a 16-point lead and seemed to be in complete control of the game. But that play ended up swinging momentum in a major way, opening the door for Seattle's comeback win.

ESPN sources: Rams fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.

The Rams’ special teams played a role in three of the team’s four losses this season, including Thursday night’s defeat in Seattle, and now changes are being made. pic.twitter.com/m6KVuQpMim
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2025

Following Thursday's game, Shaheed said the Seahawks had been focusing on the left side of the Rams' punt coverage and knew they had a weakness in that area. They were able to exploit it in one of the biggest moments of the season.

For a playoff team and a Super Bowl contender to make any sort of major change to its coaching staff in Week 16 of the season, there has to be a major concern with that aspect of the team. Given the numerous issues the unit has had for the Rams this season, they obviously felt it was—and is—something that could end up costing them an even bigger game in the playoffs.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: