During the preseason, the Rams had a bunch of different players returning kickoffs and punts, sorting through the several options they had in that phase of the game after waiving last year’s return specialist, Nsimba Webster, before camp. Tutu Atwell got opportunities, as did Otis Anderson Jr., Raymond Calais and Jeremiah Haydel. Atwell is the only one on the active roster, however, so he seems like the favorite to return kicks this year.
Jake Funk is also in the mix too, however, despite not getting any reps in that role during the preseason. Sean McVay said on Friday that he feels good about the Rams’ options in the return game, hinting that it could be Funk handling those duties.
“I feel good. We’ve got some different options with guys that can do that. We’ll see on Sunday,” he said.
McVay was then asked if it’s certain that Funk will be the team’s return specialist, to which he said with a smirk, “There’s a chance that it’ll be Jake Funk.”
When the Rams were scouting Funk as he was coming out of Maryland, his value on special teams was something that stood out. He only returned 13 kickoffs and one punt in college, but he’s an explosive player with good vision.
McVay says the Rams viewed Funk as a kick returner when they drafted him, noting his versatility on offense and special teams.
“We did and really he’s a guy that we liked because he did so many good things on special teams. And then in the limited inventory that you had, as far as playing the running back position, you saw the explosiveness, saw the ability to be able to make plays in the run game, but also contribute in the pass game,” McVay said of Funk. “He has got the toughness to be able to pick up blitzes and stick his face on people and protection. Since he has gotten here, he’s been mature beyond his years. Really have a lot of confidence in him with whatever role he’s asked on Sunday that he’ll do a great job and he’s earned that right for us to feel that way.”
So when the ball is booted in the air by the Bears for the first time on Sunday night, that’s when we’ll learn who the Rams’ kick returner will be – and probably not a second before then.
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