The Los Angeles Rams really struggled on special teams during the 2025 season, and it ultimately cost them in the playoffs.
Because of that, the Rams are clearly looking to improve that unit this offseason. They are doing so by bringing in Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator, and then also recently signed long snapper Joe Cardona in free agency.
The Rams are not done there as according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, they are signing linebacker and special teams ace Grant Stuard to a two-year contract:
Former #Lions special teams ace and linebacker Grant Stuard is signing w/ #Rams on a two year deal worth up to $5.05 million, per league source. Stuard @UHCougarFB has made impact with #Buccaneers #Colts and Detroit, now takes his high-intensity game to LA
Repped by @gradysports pic.twitter.com/eSr7Bp0IdY— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 12, 2026
Stuard will likely fill the role previously occupied by Troy Reeder, which is a key piece on special teams and also some valuable depth at inside linebacker.
The 27-year-old originally was a seventh round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 out of Houston, going on to play one season with them, three with the Indianapolis Colts and most recently one with the Detroit Lions.
In 2025, Stuard only played 1% of snaps on defense but played 79% on special teams, likely filling the same role for the Rams, who have Nate Landman and Omar Speights as their starting inside linebackers.
Sean McVay excited about new Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone
Sean McVay discussed what new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone will bring to the team and why he’s excited.
“There is an energy, there is a toughness mentally and physically that he provides,” McVay said of Ventrone. “There is a style of play philosophically with how he believes in coaching, what his units have looked like, where he foundationally learned what he knows about this game. There is a lot of guys that he’s kind of come from that have had really a ton of success as (special) teams coordinators.”
