Rams coaching changes, including Ventrone

zn wrote:

zn wrote:

CLE Picks@ClePicks
The last sentence in agent speak bc the Browns special teams units over the last 2 years under Bubba were some of if not the worst in the league

Minnesota Browns Fan@mnbrownsfan
Tom, Bubba Ventrone is truly terrible. Losing Schwartz would be a major L. Losing Bubba is a huge W.

BronxBrownsBacker@Mz_Informashun
Oh c’mon, we’re not going to pretend that the loss of Bubba is a catastrophe now, are we? STs single-handedly lost at least four games for the Browns this past year.

goldendonut.eth@TheGolden_Donut
Ventrone is literally the single worst coordinator by unit performance that I have ever witnessed in my entire life as a Browns fan. They can have him.

Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFL
#Rams hiring Bubba Ventrone, per a league source, to lead their special teams

***

Browns special teams: What is the state of this unit?

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/12/the-state-of-the-browns-special-teams.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As a whole, the Browns special teams unit has been unproductive this season.

With five games remaining, guys in this unit are playing for their jobs, whether it be a spot on this roster or the next one.

Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone has had his work cut out for him the last couple of seasons.

This unit has provided multiple examples of both benefiting and hurting the team’s winning chances, though more often the latter.

We’ll go by each subgroup of Cleveland’s special teams unit, highlighting what’s worked and what hasn’t this season.

Again, there’s still five games left. But the way this unit has been in recent time, an in-depth look felt appropriate.

Returners

The Browns’ return game has been in an interesting place in recent seasons.

Injuries derailed the Jakeem Grant experience and kept him from appearing in a regular season game in either 2022 or 2023.

Jerome Ford was really effective in the kickoff return game his rookie year, but since transitioned to a full-time running back.

That’s led Cleveland to using multiple players — usually backup wide receivers — to see what they can do.

Kickoff return

The average amount of yards per kickoff return is 25.8 yards.

Each Browns returner averages below this.

Veteran returner DeAndre Carter (24.9 yards per return) was the starter, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4.

Since then, rookie returner Dylan Sampson and Malachi Corley have split the returns, both with 15 a piece. Sampson is tied for 34th yards per return (24.0), while Malachi Corley averages 22.7 yards per return.

Punt return

The average amount of yards per punt return is 10.9 yards.

Undrafted rookie Gage Larvadain has been the main punt returner, with 142 yards gained through 16 returns (8.9 per return).

Drops

Muffs have been a recent topic.

All of Cleveland’s drops have came on punt returns.

Carter muffed a punt in his final Week 4 appearance.

Larvadain’s three muffs lead all punt returners, and all were recorded in the Week 13 loss to San Francisco, one of which was recovered by the opposition.

Ventrone spoke on Larvadain’s drops and gave him the benefit of the doubt, instead pointing out the strong winds that day.

“There was significant wind there,” Ventrone said on Thursday. “Not making an excuse for the kid, but significant wind playing away from the Dawg Pound. He’s made that catch a million times.”

Protection unit

Giving up yardage is one thing. Giving up a score makes for a bigger problem.

It’s spurred questioning as to how Cleveland practices cutting angles or getting to opposing returners quicker.

This season across the NFL, there have been four kickoff return touchdowns and 11 punt return touchdowns. Cleveland is currently one of two teams to allow one of each.

Their sole kickoff TD allowed came in Week 10: a 99-yarder scored by the Jets’ Kene Nwangwu.

They’ve allowed a league-leading two punt TDs: a 65-yarder from the Lions’ Kalif Raymond in Week 4 and a 74-yarder from the Jets’ Isaiah Williams in Week 10.

Yes, you read ‘Week 10′ twice.

In that loss to New York, Cleveland allowed touchdowns on back-to-back special teams possessions.

The last team to allow both a kickoff and punt return touchdown in the same game was Chicago, back in Week 6 of the 2017 season.

But the last team to allow both in the first quarter was Indianapolis, back in Week 10 of the 2007 season.

Before the new kickoff format, kickoffs started on their own 35-yard line, and the tacklers would get a running start and could cut into the returner’s direction.

They’re now positioned on the opposing 40-yard line, and while closer, can’t move until the returner catches the kick.

This still gives them a clearer view of the returner’s running direction and can strategize from there.

Yet, it’s not enough for Cleveland’s protection unit.

Defenders

Who is helping defend?

For starters, Rayshawn Jenkins leads the team in special teams tackles (seven) and ties for 38th among qualifying players in special teams grading (82.3), per PFF.

Behind Jenkins is Myles Harden and Grant Delpit, both tying for second with six tackles a piece.

Speaking of Delpit, he’s stood out among Cleveland’s special teams.

The strong safety has been in the right place at right time. Whether it be for a tackle, forcing a fumble, or recovering one.

A prime example of this dates back to the Week 7 win over the Dolphins. During D’Wayne Eskridge’s kickoff return, Delpit knocked the ball out and Jenkins recovered it.

That play helped Delpit earn Week 7 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Kicking

There was a surprising changing of the guard at the kicker position.

Originally, Dustin Hopkins was the expected kicker during training camp. Instead, Andre Szmyt beat out Hopkins for the starting job.

Szmyt’s been solid.

Making 16 of 19 attempts, he currently ranks 20th in field goal percentage (84.2%). Szmyt has also made three of his four kicks from 50 yards or longer.

That includes his 53-yard game-winner in Week 3 against Green Bay.

If anything, one could question if Szmyt should attempt more 50-yarders.

Through Week 6 of this season, NFL kickers were 77-for-108 on field goals of 50 yards or longer, converting to a 71.3% completion rate, per YahooSports.

You go back to last season, and there was a 71.7% rate through Week 10 of the 2024 season, per CBS Sports.

And with their slim playoff hopes, they have nothing to lose with Szmyt attempting more kicks from deep.

Conclusion

The state of this unit is not in a good place.

With five games left, it’s about building for the future. The best way players can make sure they’re part of that future is through making plays.

Gain on a return. Prevent a touchdown.

The little things that can decide a game.

wv wrote:

Ventrone was considered one of the top young coaching minds in the league during his tenure, before departing to become the Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2023

Well if he can’t cut it in Cleveland, why would he be able to cut it anywhere else?

Yes kidding.

Rams Bros.@RamsBrothers
So annoying that the Cardinals hire Mike LaFleur and the 49ers hire Raheem Morris within the same hour.

Nate Atkins@NateAtkins_
As for what the Rams do next at offensive coordinator:

Gotta think pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase has a good chance at a promotion.

Many offensive coaches around the league will also want to interview — for the OC role or pass game coordinator if it opens.

Brock Vierra@BrockVierra
Scheelhasse’s lack of coordinator experience likely cost him a head coaching opportunity this cycle. However, an elevation to offensive coordinator would be the best for both parties as he’ll be a top candidate next year

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Sean McVay has frequently looked for external candidates for his coordinator roles but in this circumstance he shouldn’t have to look far for his new OC. Nate Scheelhaase, who had interviews this cycle including for HC, is already in the building as passing game coordinator.

On the first point, the reason McVay does this is to bring in new ideas or those from other buildings. (A luxury bc he never has to develop a QB/hire an OC with it in mind)…KOC passing system (eventually developed a new one together for Stafford in 21)…LaFleur run game in 23.

zn wrote:

Brock Vierra@BrockVierra
Scheelhasse’s lack of coordinator experience likely cost him a head coaching opportunity this cycle. However, an elevation to offensive coordinator would be the best for both parties as he’ll be a top candidate next year

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/02/01/rams-offensive-coordinator-mike-lafleur-nate-scheelhaase/88465737007/

[McVay] shouldn’t have to look very far (or long) to find LaFleur’s replacement. His top choice is an incredibly obvious one: Nate Scheelhaase.

The Rams’ 35-year-old pass game coordinator interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs this offseason despite never being an offensive coordinator in the NFL. At one point, he even looked like the frontrunner for the Cleveland Browns’ position before they hired Todd Monken.

Scheelhaase has familiarity with the offense and McVay’s system, working in it for the last two years. He’s already getting looks for head coaching jobs so it’s clear teams around the league are already eyeing him; it’s only a matter of time before the Rams lose him.

Given his current position as pass game coordinator, the Rams can’t block Scheelhaase from interviewing for offensive coordinator positions. If LaFleur wants to poach Scheelhaase away from Los Angeles and to his new staff in Arizona, the Rams can’t prevent that from happening – unless McVay promotes him to OC.

It’s the necessary next step for the 35-year-old assistant, too. He’s seemingly bound to become a head coach at some point but his lack of coordinator experience likely hurt his chances during this hiring cycle. One year under McVay as his OC all but guarantees he’ll land a head coaching job in the very near future.

Nate Atkins@NateAtkins_
The Rams hired Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator, Sean McVay said.

They also hired Kyle Hoke as assistant special teams coordinator.

Both spent last season with the Browns.

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-analysis/134462/the-oc-files-is-nate-scheelhaase-ready-to-be-rams-offensive-coordinator?utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=%3Cmedia_url%3E&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

…Scheelhaase was a coordinator at the collegiate level. As the Des Moines Register noted,

“Scheelhaase, widely considered one of the best young assistant coaches in college football, spent just one season as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator. He oversaw significant improvement from a group that ranked among the country’s worst prior to his arrival…Scheelhaase is about as much a football lifer as you can get. The 33-year-old envisions himself as a head coach someday, which I guarantee will happen. He’s been on that path since going through a fellowship program with the Kansas City Chiefs a while back.”

Prior to Scheelhaase taking over in 2022, Iowa State ranked 113th in the nation in points per game, scoring 20.2 points per game. Under Scheelhaase, that jumped to 26.2 points per game. They went from averaging 5.1 yards per play to 6.2. At Iowa State, he coached all over the offense. He started as the running backs coach in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Breece Hall had a career-high 5.8 yards per carry. In 2019 and 2020, Scheelhaase coached wide receivers, and in 2023, as offensive coordinator, he also served as the quarterbacks coach.

Under Scheelhaase, the Cyclone offense led the nation with 11 touchdown plays of at least 50 yards. The leading wide receivers of that team were Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who were both drafted by the Houston Texans last April.

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
And so it begins.

Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals have requested to interview Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator job

Zooey wrote:

Los Angeles is adding former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to its offensive coaching staff

Peter Schrager@PSchrags
Kingsbury and McVay have been speaking over the last two weeks and there’s mutual excitement to finally get to work together. When the Giants opted to hire Matt Nagy as OC, the path was cleared for Kingsbury to the Rams.

Rams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Such a fun move. Kliff is a mastermind when it comes to drawing up pass concepts.

Rams will lead the league in explosives next season as long as Stafford is on the field.

Jordan Schultz@Schultz_Report
At this point in his career, Kingsbury wants to continue growing as a coach and learn more about what it takes to be a head coach in the NFL again — including all the inner workings of the job that people don’t get to see.

Sosa Kremenjas@QBsMVP
Matthew Stafford might throw for 55 passing TDs next year with McVay + Kingsbury + Scheelhaase ……

…. and after they take a WR with No. 13 overall.