🚨 Rams Owner Stan Kroenke Unleashes Fury: Six Players Axed from 2026 Roster After NFC Championship Heartbreak vs. Seahawks – “They Don’t Deserve This Jersey”

The sting of defeat in the NFC Championship Game lingered for mere hours before Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke delivered a bombshell that has rocked the NFL. Following the Rams’ gut-wrenching 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on January 25, 2026, at Lumen Field, Kroenke ordered the immediate removal of six players from the team’s roster planning for the 2026 season. In a blistering postgame statement leaked to media, the notoriously demanding owner didn’t mince words: “What are they even doing on the field? They don’t deserve to wear this jersey…”

The announcement has sparked widespread fan outrage, heated debates on social media, and questions about the franchise’s direction. Kroenke, who has invested billions into SoFi Stadium and roster talent, singled out six players whose performances he viewed as directly responsible for the Rams falling one game short of Super Bowl LX. The cuts—framed as forward-looking roster decisions ahead of free agency and the draft—target individuals who struggled mightily in the high-pressure semifinal against Seattle’s opportunistic defense.

The game itself was a rollercoaster. Matthew Stafford threw for over 300 yards, connecting with stars like Puka Nacua (who hauled in a late 34-yard touchdown) and Davante Adams, while the Rams amassed 435 total yards and kept drives alive with minimal punts. Yet critical mistakes doomed Los Angeles: a muffed punt return, turnovers, and failure to capitalize on momentum allowed Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker III, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who torched the secondary for 115 yards) to rally Seattle to victory.

A dropped would-be touchdown and clock management issues sealed the fate, with Puka Nacua tackled in bounds as time expired.

Kroenke’s ire focused on those he believed failed to rise to the occasion. The six players he directly called out for some of the poorest showings on the night are:

Xavier Smith (Return Specialist/WR) – Thrust into the spotlight as the primary punt returner, Smith became the scapegoat for a costly muffed punt that flipped field position and momentum to Seattle. His decision to field the ball instead of letting it bounce led to disaster, drawing immediate backlash and now Kroenke’s wrath. Colby Parkinson (TE) – The tight end had a golden opportunity to shift the game when Stafford delivered a perfect red-zone pass for what should have been a go-ahead touchdown. Parkinson’s drop—right through his hands—kept the score tied and became a defining lowlight of the loss.

Alaric Jackson (LT) – The left tackle endured a nightmare in pass protection, surrendering multiple pressures and a sack that hurried Stafford into bad throws. His struggles against Seattle’s edge rushers left the quarterback vulnerable far too often. Kevin Dotson (G) – The guard was penalized multiple times and failed to open consistent running lanes, contributing to stalled drives. Kroenke highlighted his inconsistent blocking as part of the offensive line’s inability to dominate in crucial moments. Tutu Atwell (WR) – Targeted often in the slot, Atwell battled drops and poor separation against a physical Seahawks secondary.

His inability to convert third downs frustrated the coaching staff and now the owner. Jordan Whittington (WR) – The young receiver saw action but was flagged for concentration lapses and failed to win contested catches when needed most. His modest output symbolized broader issues in the receiving corps’ execution under pressure.

These names dominated Kroenke’s rant, with the owner stressing that “championship-caliber teams eliminate excuses and errors.” The decision to publicly name and effectively bench them for 2026 planning purposes is rare and aggressive, especially so soon after the season ended.

Fan backlash was immediate and fierce. Social media flooded with #StandWithRamsPlayers and #KroenkeOut, as supporters argued the team fought valiantly in a tight playoff battle. “One drop or one bad return doesn’t erase what these guys contributed all year,” one viral post read. Others defended the owner: “Stan pays the bills—he wants winners, not excuses.” The controversy has divided the fanbase just as the offseason begins.

This isn’t Kroenke’s first bold move. The Rams have undergone aggressive roster tweaks in pursuit of contention, from blockbuster trades to high-profile signings. Head coach Sean McVay has built a resilient squad around Stafford, but the owner’s direct intervention signals zero tolerance for perceived underperformance in big games. Sources indicate McVay and GM Les Snead are navigating the fallout, balancing accountability with team chemistry.

The timing amplifies the drama: with the Patriots and Seahawks set to clash in Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium, the Rams’ early offseason turbulence steals headlines. These cuts could reshape the depth chart—freeing cap space, creating opportunities for rookies or veterans, but risking morale hits among remaining players who witnessed the purge.

For the six affected players, the future is uncertain. Waivers, trades, or free agency await, but the public humiliation adds pressure. Xavier Smith’s muff and Parkinson’s drop, in particular, may follow them as defining moments of the 2025-2026 playoffs.

As Los Angeles licks its wounds and eyes a 2026 rebound, Kroenke’s message rings loud: excellence or exit. Whether this ruthless approach fuels a championship run or fractures the locker room remains to be seen. One thing is clear—the Rams won’t go quietly into the offseason.