(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
The NFL approved a crucial rule change in the offseason.
The new kickoff rules could lead to an uptick in scoring and big plays in those situations, and that’ll force everybody to adjust accordingly.
Recently, Baltimore Ravens star K Justin Tucker admitted that he’s been bulking up and hitting the weights to get ready for this new rule, knowing that he would have to be more involved in tackling.
The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, might take a different yet creative approach to this situation.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub hinted at not even using a placekicker at all, going with S Justin Reid as their kickoff specialist because of his versatility and ability to make tackles.
Notably, it seems like Reid is completely bought into that idea (via Around the NFL):
“I would love to because special teams plays a vital role in the game,” Reid said. “The game is three phases: offense, defense and special teams. In the Super Bowl, special teams was the difference with us winning and losing. … Special teams makes a humongous difference, and I’m willing to do anything to help us win.”
Chiefs S Justin Reid has been working off tee, would “love to” serve as team’s kickoff specialisthttps://t.co/7yOuoIYAbA pic.twitter.com/WT6LzIvXcO
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 8, 2024
Reid has been a mainstay in Steve Spagnuolo’s championship-winning defense, but he also has some experience with his feet.
He was forced onto the field to replace K Harrison Butker once, converting one of two extra point attempts and averaging 62.6 yards per kickoff, with five of them going for touchbacks.
Getting kickers more involved in tackling could lead to an uptick in injuries as well, and that’s a risk the Chiefs might not want to take at this moment.
Andy Reid’s team will look to become the first to win three Super Bowls in a row, which is why they need to pay attention to detail and have multiple plans for all situations, including this controversial decision.
The post Chiefs Veteran Wants To Serve As Team’s Kickoff Specialist appeared first on The Cold Wire.