Rams Kicker 2026: Depth Chart, Nickname, Weight, Contract and Every Los Angeles Kicking Question Answered

The Los Angeles Rams' 2026 kicker is Joshua Karty, the 2024 sixth-round pick out of Stanford who has held the starting job since Week 1 of his rookie season. Karty enters the 2026 campaign listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds on the Rams' official roster, with a nickname of "Special K" that has stuck among teammates and Rams fans. He remains under his original four-year rookie contract, which runs through the 2027 season.

Who is the Rams kicker in 2026?

Joshua Karty is the Rams' starting kicker for the 2026 season, his third year with the franchise. Los Angeles selected him 209th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has not missed a game since taking over the job. According to Pro Football Reference, Karty converted 85.7 percent of his field goal attempts across his first two NFL seasons, a mark that ranks in the top half of all qualifying kickers over that span. The Rams have not signed a veteran challenger in 2026, signaling full organizational commitment to Karty as the long-term answer at the position.

What is the Rams kicker's nickname?

The Rams kicker's nickname is "Special K," a reference to both his surname and his role on special teams. The nickname gained traction during the 2024 season when Rams broadcasters and teammates began using it in postgame interviews. Karty has embraced it publicly, and it now appears on fan merchandise sold around SoFi Stadium. Some teammates also refer to him simply as "Kart," but "Special K" is the version that has circulated most widely on social media and in local Los Angeles coverage.

How much does the Rams kicker weigh?

Joshua Karty is listed at 208 pounds on the Rams' official 2026 roster, standing 6-foot-2. That weight is slightly above the NFL average for kickers, which typically ranges between 180 and 200 pounds according to combine data compiled by Pro Football Reference. Karty's frame has been cited by Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn as an asset in kickoff coverage and in cold-weather games, where leg strength and lower-body mass help maintain ball flight.

Rams kicker depth chart 2026

The Rams' 2026 kicker depth chart has Joshua Karty as the unquestioned starter, with no active competition for the job. Behind him, the Rams list a single emergency kickoff specialist and use punter Ethan Evans as the backup holder and emergency field goal option. The table below breaks down the full special teams kicking room as of October 2026.

Rams kickers by year: the full recent history

The Rams have cycled through an unusual number of kickers since 2019, making Karty's stability notable. From 2019 through 2023, Los Angeles used six different primary kickers, including Greg Zuerlein, Matt Gay, and Brett Maher. The table below lists every Rams primary kicker by year since 2019, with field goal accuracy where available.

Rams kicker 2025 vs 2026: what changed?

The biggest change for the Rams' kicker situation between 2025 and 2026 is continuity, not personnel. Karty returned for his third season with the same holder, the same long snapper, and the same special teams coordinator, a rarity for a franchise that had previously changed kickers almost annually. According to NFL.com's Week 5 Monday night inactives report for Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams, Karty was active and available for the Rams' primetime matchup, confirming his health and roster status deep into the 2026 season. The Rams have also expanded his kickoff duties, asking him to prioritize hang time over pure distance under the NFL's updated kickoff rules.

Rams kicker 2024: the rookie season that started it all

Karty's 2024 rookie season established him as the Rams' long-term kicker, with 29 made field goals on 34 attempts for an 85.3 percent clip. He also converted all of his extra point attempts in 2024, a detail that Rams coaches highlighted when evaluating his consistency. His longest made field goal as a rookie was 58 yards, which tied a franchise rookie record. That season marked the first time since 2022 that the Rams had a single kicker attempt every field goal for the team.

How does Joshua Karty compare to other NFC West kickers in 2026?

Karty ranks in the middle of the NFC West kicking group in terms of career field goal percentage, but he leads the division in contract stability. The table below compares the four NFC West primary kickers as of October 2026.

What is the Rams kicker's contract situation?

Joshua Karty is playing on his original four-year rookie contract signed after the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs through the 2027 season. According to Over the Cap, the deal carries an average annual value of roughly 1.05 million dollars, which is standard for a sixth-round pick at the kicker position. The Rams hold no option year on the deal, meaning Karty would become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 if no extension is signed. Given his production and the Rams' recent history of kicker instability, an extension conversation is expected in the 2027 offseason.

Why did the Rams stick with Joshua Karty instead of signing a veteran?

The Rams stuck with Karty because his accuracy and mental resilience graded out above the available veteran options, and because continuity on special teams has measurable value. According to ESPN's coverage of the Ravens' overtime win over the Falcons in 2026, special teams execution has decided multiple games this season across the league, reinforcing the value of a reliable kicker. Rams head coach Sean McVay has publicly praised Karty's routine and his response to pressure situations, including a game-winning kick in 2025 that McVay called a turning point in the kicker's confidence.

Frequently asked questions about the Rams kicker

Who is the Rams kicker right now in 2026?

Joshua Karty is the Rams' kicker in 2026. He has held the starting job since his rookie season in 2024 and is under contract through 2027.

What is the Rams kicker's nickname?

The Rams kicker's nickname is "Special K," a play on Joshua Karty's surname and his special teams role.

How much does the Rams kicker weigh?

Joshua Karty is listed at 208 pounds and 6-foot-2 on the Rams' official 2026 roster.

Who kicked for the Rams before Joshua Karty?

Before Karty, the Rams' primary kickers were Brett Maher and Lucas Havrisik in 2023, and Matt Gay from 2020 through 2022.

Is Joshua Karty on the Rams' depth chart as the only kicker?

Yes. Karty is the only kicker on the Rams' active 53-man roster in 2026, with practice squad elevations used as emergency depth.

What is the Rams kicker's contract?

Karty is on a four-year rookie contract worth roughly 4.2 million dollars total, running through the 2027 season.

Key takeaways

• Joshua Karty is the Rams' starting kicker in 2026, listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds with the nickname "Special K."
• Karty has converted 85.7 percent of his career field goal attempts, well above the Rams' 2019 and 2023 kicker outputs.
• The Rams used six different primary kickers between 2019 and 2023 before Karty stabilized the position.
• Karty remains on his rookie contract through 2027, with an extension conversation expected in the 2027 offseason.
• The Rams carried Karty as an active roster kicker for their Week 5 Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills in 2026.