Lirim Hajrullahu isn’t a name many football fans will recognize, but the Rams kicker is trying to change that in 2020. Los Angeles signed Hajrullahu this offseason after losing Greg Zuerlein to the Cowboys in free agency, giving him his first real NFL opportunity after six years with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL.
They weren’t the only team that showed interest in signing him, either. In an interview with TheRams.com, Hajrullahu revealed that there were “a few other teams” besides the Rams that expressed interest in him.
Los Angeles was one of the first, however, and had a wide opening at kicker for him.
“L.A. was the first one to strike, and I think it’s a perfect situation to compete,” Hajrullahu said.
Additionally, the Seahawks worked him out during the playoffs a year ago but didn’t wind up signing him. Hajrullahu is now in a great situation and feels his experience is matching up perfectly with this new opportunity.
“As much as this is a window for myself to get into the NFL, it’s also a kicking window, I feel, just because some other kickers have been struggling,” Hajrullahu said. “This is a perfect combination for myself to get in. I’ve had professional experience, I’ve played in big games and I believe I can compete with the best of them.”
Now 30 years old, Hajrullahu may not be as young as MacGinnis or seventh-round pick Sam Sloman, but age isn’t a huge factor with kickers. As long as they can make kicks, they’ll keep a job in the NFL.
Hajrullahu will have to beat out MacGinnis and Sloman in training camp and the preseason this year in what’s bound to be a true open competition when practice finally starts later this summer at some point.