The St. Louis Rams selected kicker Greg Zuerlein out of Missouri Western State in the 6th round of the 2012 draft, and he immediately bursted onto the scene converting a 60-yard attempt in his rookie season.
He then developed into one of the best kickers in football, as after completing just 74.2 percent (23-of-31) of his attempts in 2012, he completed 92.9 percent (26-of-28) in 2013.
After a below average third season in the league, making 80 percent (24-of-30) of his kicks, Zuerlein regressed greatly in 2015 when he made just 66.7 percent (20-of-30), as well as missing two extra points.
While it appeared as if the Rams, who are moving west to Los Angeles, may be searching for a new kicker to bring with them, they have instead elected to re-sign Zuerlein, according to Myles Simmons of NFL.com:
Rams have agreed to terms with free agent K Greg Zuerlein.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) April 15, 2016
This one year deal does not necessarily mean the Rams won’t be in the market for a new kicker, possibly in the draft. Florida State’s Roberto Aguayo is viewed as a big-time kicker and the Rams could opt to give Zuerlein some competition.
Teams also tend to bring other players once training camp begins and that would seem likely in this case as Zuerlein’s 2015 season is simply not going to cut it.