Overview
- Los Angeles agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $5.05 million with Grant Stuard, a five-season veteran who has appeared in 83 games for the Buccaneers, Colts and Lions.
- Stuard arrives with strong coverage credentials, including a 2025 PFF top-20 special-teamer ranking and experience under Ventrone from his time in Indianapolis.
- He is expected to bolster the Rams’ coverage units, and the size of his deal suggests he could compete for defensive snaps in a linebacker group lacking established depth.
- The move extends a broader special-teams reset after costly errors in 2025, with Sean McVay dismissing coordinator Chase Blackburn and bringing in Ventrone alongside long snapper Joe Cardona while retaining kicker Harrison Mevis.
- Return roles remain unresolved for Los Angeles, with last season’s primary option Xavier Smith coming off a critical muff and top free-agent returner Skyy Moore signing with the Packers.