New kickoff rule has Chiefs considering radical, outside-the-box strategy

The new kickoff rules to be implemented for the 2024 NFL season are sparking some interesting ideas and potential strategies. Some of them – like the idea that the Pittsburgh Steelers might use Justin Fields as a kick returner – are not really based in reality. 

But the Kansas City Chiefs are apparently toying with radical, outside-the-box idea that could actually become something.

The idea – using defensive back Justin Reid as a kickoff specialist to help preserve kicker Harrison Butker and protect him from potential injury.

Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub talked about the idea behind it this week.

"I like to have somebody who can go back and is able to make a tackle," Toub said Thursday, via NFL.com. "(Harrison) Butker is able to make a tackle, but I really don't want him making tackles all year long. If you watch the XFL, we watched every play, I bet kickers were involved in at least 25 to 40 percent of the tackles. In either trying to make a guy bounce back or making the tackle himself, or just missing the tackle. We don't want Butker in that situation. But he will be a kicker. 

Toub then elaborated on the potential strategy.

"He will be a guy that we use in certain situations. He's got a lot of ability to move the ball whereas those other guys may not be apt to do that. … He can still a touchback if we need it," Toub said. "You're just giving up the ball. If we do kick a touchback out of the back of the end zone, now they're getting the ball at the 30 instead of the 25. So that 5 yards makes a big difference. That's another three percent chance you're giving the offense to score."

It is a fascinating idea and takes advantage of one of Reid's skills. He had to take over kicking duties for the Chiefs in a game early in the 2023 season and more than held his own, blasting a 75-yard kick. 

Using Reid as a kickoff specialist not only would protect Butker, it would also give the Chiefs another player capable of making a tackle who could either swing field position or save a touchdown.

The new kickoff rules for this season are going to dramatically cut down on the number of touchbacks and incentivize more returns. That is going to mean way more tackles on kickoffs and more chances for a kicker to either not make it or injure themselves in the process. 

The risk, of course, is that a player like Reid might shank the occasional kickoff out of bounds, giving an opposing team prime field position on a series. 

There is no guarantee the Chiefs go forward with the idea, but the fact it is very much on the table is fascinating to think about and shows how much new rule changes can push innovation in sports.