The Rams have fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn after his unit made several mistakes in Los Angeles’ loss at Seattle on Thursday, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because the playoff-bound Rams (11-4) hadn’t publicly announced Sean McVay’s first significant in-season staffing change in his nine-year tenure. Assistant Ben Kotwica is expected to replace Blackburn, who was in his third season in the job.
The Rams’ special teams have been generally poor all season, and the team already changed kickers and long snappers last month after Joshua Karty and his unit missed multiple opportunities to win games against Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Special teams then played a major role in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to Seattle, a defeat that likely will prevent the Rams from winning the NFC West or earning the No. 1 seed.
The Rams led 30-14 in the fourth quarter when they gave up a touchdown on a 58-yard punt return by Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed following a poor punt by Ethan Evans.
Harrison Mevis then missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 2:07 to play, preventing the Rams from taking the lead.
Mevis took over after Karty missed five field goals and three extra-point attempts, and he hadn’t missed a kick all season before this crucial field-goal attempt went barely wide right.
Blackburn was a linebacker for the Giants and the Panthers before beginning his coaching career.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts as offensive lineman Kevin Dotson lies on the field after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid's final game of the year.
Mbappé matched Ronaldo’s tally from 2013. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break.
Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team’s future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two games. But Madrid's fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances — even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid’s defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader visits third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe blows a kiss towards the TV camera as he celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso looks out from the dugout ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right looks to control the ball under pressure from Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
