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Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone laid out a plan for Xavier Smith for the 2026 season.
Ventrone spoke to the media on the Rams' first day of training camp and said he expects Smith to play a crucial role for the special teams, a unit that struggled mightily in 2025.
"We have a lot of options back there. I think (wide receiver Xavier Smith) is going to keep developing,” Ventrone said.
"We’re going to keep training him, and (running back Kyren Williams) is an option. So we have we have a number of ball handlers on the roster. We're just going to keep giving those guys opportunities, and I think obviously competition brings out the best in everybody."
Smith, 28, will head into his fourth season in the league, all with the Rams.
In his first three seasons, Smith has been a reliable and versatile special-teams contributor for the Rams. He handled primary return duties and also contributed as a gunner.
In 27 punt returns last season, Smith returned those for 251 yards, with his longest return coming at 31 yards. The Florida native averaged 9.3 yards per return.
As for the kick returns, Smith had 13 of them that he returned for 301 yards.
In 16 games, Smith started in three of them.
While Smith will spend most of his time on special teams, he will also look to establish himself as a consistent presence on offense as a wide receiver.
Last season as a wide receiver, Smith recorded 18 receptions for 303 receiving yards. He averaged 16.8 yards per reception.
Training camp will be key for the Rams' special teams unit to establish itself, and they must.
The 2025 Rams special teams were a massive liability, ranking dead last in expected points lost. On top of that, the special teams cost them a handful of games, including the Week 3 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.
From blocked kicks, costly collapses, and poor efficiency, the Rams' special teams unit was by far the worst of the three.
That is why the Rams brought in Ventrone. These next few weeks will be crucial for Ventrone and the special teams unit to establish continuity and ensure a season like 2025 doesn’t recur.
Not only did the Rams bring in Ventrone, but they also signed key veteran pieces to the roster.
The Rams signed long snapper Joe Cardona and ace tackler Grant Stuard. Cardona signed a two-year contract worth $3.45 million. He will certainly solidify the long snapper position.
Sturad will come into Los Angeles after signing a two-year deal. While he’s listed as a linebacker, Sturad adds a high-motor special-teams tackler.
Ventrone will be tasked with making sure the Rams don't experience another 2025-like season on special teams.
Continue reading...
Ventrone spoke to the media on the Rams' first day of training camp and said he expects Smith to play a crucial role for the special teams, a unit that struggled mightily in 2025.
"We have a lot of options back there. I think (wide receiver Xavier Smith) is going to keep developing,” Ventrone said.
"We’re going to keep training him, and (running back Kyren Williams) is an option. So we have we have a number of ball handlers on the roster. We're just going to keep giving those guys opportunities, and I think obviously competition brings out the best in everybody."
Smith, 28, will head into his fourth season in the league, all with the Rams.
In his first three seasons, Smith has been a reliable and versatile special-teams contributor for the Rams. He handled primary return duties and also contributed as a gunner.
In 27 punt returns last season, Smith returned those for 251 yards, with his longest return coming at 31 yards. The Florida native averaged 9.3 yards per return.
As for the kick returns, Smith had 13 of them that he returned for 301 yards.
In 16 games, Smith started in three of them.
While Smith will spend most of his time on special teams, he will also look to establish himself as a consistent presence on offense as a wide receiver.
Last season as a wide receiver, Smith recorded 18 receptions for 303 receiving yards. He averaged 16.8 yards per reception.
Training camp will be key for the Rams' special teams unit to establish itself, and they must.
The 2025 Rams special teams were a massive liability, ranking dead last in expected points lost. On top of that, the special teams cost them a handful of games, including the Week 3 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.
From blocked kicks, costly collapses, and poor efficiency, the Rams' special teams unit was by far the worst of the three.
That is why the Rams brought in Ventrone. These next few weeks will be crucial for Ventrone and the special teams unit to establish continuity and ensure a season like 2025 doesn’t recur.
Not only did the Rams bring in Ventrone, but they also signed key veteran pieces to the roster.
The Rams signed long snapper Joe Cardona and ace tackler Grant Stuard. Cardona signed a two-year contract worth $3.45 million. He will certainly solidify the long snapper position.
Sturad will come into Los Angeles after signing a two-year deal. While he’s listed as a linebacker, Sturad adds a high-motor special-teams tackler.
Ventrone will be tasked with making sure the Rams don't experience another 2025-like season on special teams.
Continue reading...
