At the start of the season, Chase Blackburn seemed to be under more pressure than any other coach, as his performance as special teams coordinator was heavily criticized due to one of the worst kicking units in the league. Throughout the season, the struggles of kicker Joshua Karty and the addition of Scott Frost only intensified the scrutiny surrounding him. However, Blackburn now finds himself an NFC West champion, overseeing one of the most promising punting units in football, with the kicking game finally showing signs of stability.

Ethan Evans ranks tied for eighth in the league for punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and with Xavier Smith taking on a new role as a gunner, the number of fair catches forced by opponents is likely to increase. Smith has also become a key player as both a gunner and returner, showcasing Blackburn’s coaching and vision. Jordan Whittington, meanwhile, has emerged as a significant contributor on kick returns, offering a spark each time he touches the ball.

While Karty still has a lot of work to do to replicate his success at Stanford, his recent performances have been more encouraging. Despite still missing some extra points, he’s been perfect on field goals in the past four games, with a perfect nine-for-nine streak, including a crucial 53-yard field goal that helped secure a victory over Arizona.

With Frost now at UCF and the special teams unit playing much better, it seems that Blackburn has solidified his future in Los Angeles.