INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 22: Cleveland Browns Assistant Head Coach/Special Team Coordinator Raymond Bubba Ventrone walks the field prior to the start of a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts on October 22, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire NFL: OCT 22 Browns at Colts EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon102223048
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 22: Cleveland Browns Assistant Head Coach/Special Team Coordinator Raymond Bubba Ventrone walks the field prior to the start of a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts on October 22, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire NFL: OCT 22 Browns at Colts EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon102223048
Jan 30, 2026, 10:30 PM CUT
Another Blow to Browns' Coaching Staff as Top Name Leaves for Rams After Todd Monken Hiring
Just as the Cleveland Browns made progress by hiring their new head coach, Todd Monken, they took another hit.
According to Tom Pelissero, the Los Angeles Rams have hired Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator.
“The Rams have signed Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator, per sources. Special teams were a massive weakness last season for L.A., which now lands one of the NFL’s best,” he wrote.
In 2023, the Browns blocked three field goals, the most in the league that year. With Ventrone as his guide, K Dustin Hopkins set an NFL record for making “at least one 50-plus-yard field goal in five consecutive games.”
Meanwhile, P Corey Bojorquez set a record within the franchise for a 49.4 punt average.
Ventrone, with his proven record, has replaced Chase Blackburn. He was fired last month after his unit failed in the overtime NFC Division Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Xavier Smith’s fumbled punt in the third quarter gave way for the Seahawks to score a touchdown and take a 24-13 lead. However, reports indicate that Ventrone may not be the only one leaving.
The Browns are at risk of Losing Another Important Coordinator
Many had strong reasons to believe that Jim Schwartz would make a great head coach. His 2025 season record spoke for itself. Fourth-fewest total yards per game by a team with 283.6 yards, and Myles Garrett set the NFL record for most sacks by a player in a season.
So, with Todd Monken taking charge, an unhappy Schwartz could be leaving the franchise, nay, the league for good. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Schwartz could retire, upset with the management's decision.
“[Schwartz’s] options are somewhat limited if they want to hold him to his contract. I think they’re trying to let him cool down,” he said on the Ken Cramen Show with Anthony Lima.
“It’s simply not a guarantee that he comes back because even though he is under contract, if he’s salty enough, [he could] threaten retirement, which could be a way out.”
While the Rams desperately needed a new coordinator, they found one in Ventrone. But the Browns are tackling a new challenge, and with another on its heels.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi