Bears special teams coordinator reveals who will initially serve as the main returner under the new kickoff rules

Under the new rules, the league in expected to see a high dose of kickoffs being returned by opposing teams, in a safer fashion, and many teams will look to adjust their plans for who they have bringing the ball out on those plays.

The Bears don’t see to be one of those teams and at the moment, it seems like Jones' role on the roster will be safe and remain the same while also getting more opportunities to be a difference maker on the field.

Potential new roles for the rookies on special teams

During the media availability, Hightower also had the highest of praises for the team's newly drafted punter Tory Taylor who will be joining his unit this season.

Yesterday, we got to see Taylor in action for the first time in Chicago booting some footballs around the practice field working on various situations. However, there's another aspect of the game the Bears could explore using Taylor in.

Last season, the Bears' primary kickoff specialist was former punter Trenton Gill, not place kicker Cairo Santos. Hightower insinuated Taylor could take over that role as well during his rookie season.

"Anybody with a helmet that can kickoff is always in play," Hightower said. "So, he's always an option on kickoffs and the rest of the league gotta figure it out. He can do some really really cool things from a punt standpoint and a kickoff standpoint."

Another rookie who could work his way into becoming a weapon on special teams for Hightower is first round wide receiver Rome Odunze. With Jones as the kick returner, the team will be auditioning various players to return punts this season.

Given his dynamic play-making ability with the ball in his hands, it's easy to see why Odunze could be in consideration for that role.

"I think Rome is an every down player," Hightower said. "Rome is a first down player, a second down player, third down player, and a fourth down player. We all love what he can do as a receiver, he's a dynamic player. He's in contention [to return punts] just like everybody else. The best man will win."

The more opportunities the Bears have to get the ball in Odunze's hands, the better. During his career at Washington, Odunze returned three punts, one of which went for a 83-yard touchdown against California.

Bears fought to keep kickoffs & returns in the game

A main reason the league decided to go with these new kickoff changes was to address the lowest kickoff return rate in NFL history while still looking out for the health and safety of the players.

Hightower served as one of the members of the committee that helped pass the rule change and is proud to keep that part of the game within the game.

"There's a cause and effect to everything," Hightower explained. "In pertaining to the rules, I was honored and happy to be a part of that working group to get the proposal on the table and help get it passed. I think it'll only help the game."

Everyone loves seeing players make incredible plays on kickoffs, which can swing the momentum of the game at a moments notice, but keeping players safe is still the most important goal. 

With the rule passed, the Bears have already begun practicing the new rules on the field with the returning and new players on the roster.

"We're all learning," Hightower added. "It's all new for everyone. It's been a good opportunity to work on that and work through some of that, which we've done with the veterans and then we've worked it here in the camp."