Blake Grupe Replaces Harrison Mevis as Rams Kicker

Blake Grupe is the new kicker in Los Angeles. The Rams are releasing Harrison Mevis and signing Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday. It took less than a day after Monday night's 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills for Los Angeles to make the call.

Mevis, the fan favorite everyone called the "Thiccer Kicker," went 0 for 2 on field goals at SoFi Stadium. He missed a 50-yarder on the opening drive, then watched Greg Rousseau get a hand on his 48-yard try in overtime that would have won it. Buffalo took over, Josh Allen went to work, and Tyler Bass ended it.

Why Mevis is out

This was not just one bad night. Mevis made all 14 of his extra points this season, but he hit only 5 of 9 field goals. That 55.6% mark ranks last in the NFL. It is a tough fall after a 2025 run where he went 12 of 13 on field goals and a perfect 39 for 39 on extra points in nine games.

Sean McVay did not hide how he felt after the game. He called out the kicking unit and said flatly, "It cost us the game tonight." He also caught heat for playing it safe in overtime, settling for a short pass and a stuffed Kyren Williams run before sending Mevis out from 48. Fair or not, the kicker is the one who lost his job.

Who is Blake Grupe?

Grupe, 27, went undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2023 and has kicked for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. At 5-foot-7 and 156 pounds, he is one of the smallest players in the league. In 50 career games he has made 81.9% of his field goals with a long of 60, and 98% of his extra points.

His 2025 was a ride. Grupe hit 18 of 26 field goals for the Saints, got released, then went a perfect 11 of 11 for the Colts down the stretch. The Jets claimed him off waivers in August and stashed him on the practice squad, so he has not attempted a kick in 2026.

Rams need points, not drama

Los Angeles is 2-3 and has yet to win two in a row this season. The offense just put up three straight touchdown drives late against Buffalo, and Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are doing their part. The Rams simply cannot keep leaving points on the field when Matthew Stafford keeps dragging them into range.

Grupe lines up to make his Rams debut when Los Angeles hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If you have ever yelled at your TV over a blocked kick, you know exactly how much pressure that first attempt is going to carry. Rams fans just want the guy to make the easy ones.