The Los Angeles Rams signed kicker Blake Grupe off of the New York Jets practice squad on Tuesday, a corresponding move to the release of Harrison Mevis. Grupe has not attempted any kicks in 2026, but has played 50 career games between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
Grupe was claimed by the Jets after he was cut by the Colts at the end of training camp, but moved to the practice squad on October 1. The former Notre Dame kicker is in line to be in a Rams uniform this week against the Arizona
Cardinals.
Mevis was never that good for the Rams.
He was accurate within 45 or so yards, but didn’t have the leg for longer kicks. That was always apparent, but more so on Monday night as L.A. lost to the Bills in overtime after Mevis had his 48-yard blocked by Gregory Rosseau. He also missed a 50-yard attempt in the first quarter. Sean McVay would at times avoid kicking field goals in 2025 just because Mevis was so bad at it beyond 50.
But Grupe is 19-of-27 from 50+ in his career.
Grupe went 11-of-11 on kicks for the Colts last season over four games, including 4-of-4 from 50+. He has made 96 extra points in his career on 98 attempts.
However, the Saints released him during the 2025 season because he led the NFL in missed kicks with 12. It is not like the Rams can act surprised that they’re scraping the bottom of their options in October because L.A. has consistently ignored the value of special teams under Sean McVay. This is the third time the team has made a midseason change in the last five years.
Grupe is the Rams’ eighth different kicker since 2020.
