Rams Replace Kicker Mevis with Grupe After Overtime Loss to Bills

Key points

• The Rams released kicker Harrison Mevis and signed Blake Grupe from the Jets' practice squad on October 13, 2026.
• Mevis missed two field goals in the overtime loss to the Bills, including a 48-yard attempt blocked by Greg Rousseau.
• Sean McVay criticized the special teams unit, stating the kicking errors 'cost us the game' and that he was 'sick' with himself.
• Grupe, 27, has an 81.9% career field goal percentage and previously played for the Saints and Colts.
• The Rams are 2-3 and have struggled with special teams consistency this season, missing multiple field goals in earlier games against the Eagles and Giants.

Background

The Rams have faced ongoing challenges with their special teams unit in recent years, including multiple changes in kickers and coordinators. In 2025, Mevis performed well, going 12 of 13 on field goals, but his 2026 season has been marked by significant misses. The team's 2-3 start has raised concerns about their ability to contend for the postseason if special teams issues persist. McVay's public frustration after the Bills game highlighted the urgency for improvement in this area.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and NFL.com reported the transaction as a direct response to Mevis's poor performance in the overtime loss, citing NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The Democrat and Chronicle provided additional context on Mevis's history, noting that the Bills had considered signing him in 2024 before choosing Lucas Havrisik, and highlighted the irony of Bills kicker Tyler Bass winning the game after Mevis's blocked attempt. ESPN's source was unavailable due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted. All sources agree on the core facts of the release and signing, but the Democrat and Chronicle emphasized the historical connection between Mevis and the Bills, while NBC Sports and NFL.com focused on the immediate impact of the missed kicks on the game outcome.

Why it matters

The decision to replace Mevis with Grupe signals the Rams' intent to address a critical weakness in their special teams unit, which has directly impacted game outcomes. With a 2-3 record, the team needs consistent field goal conversion to remain competitive in the postseason race. Grupe's higher career accuracy offers a potential solution to the instability that has plagued the Rams' kicking game this season.

What to watch

The Rams will monitor Grupe's performance in upcoming games to assess whether the change improves their special teams reliability. The team's ability to convert field goals will be a key factor in their remaining schedule, particularly in close games where special teams can decide the outcome. McVay may continue to evaluate other aspects of the special teams unit if issues persist.