The Chicago Bears are willing to do everything and anything to gain a competitive edge over their opponents. With the new kick-off rules coming in the 2024 season, teams are looking for ways to gain an edge. The Kansas City Chiefs are likely going to allow safety Justin Reid, who has shown off his kicking skills in the NFL before, to kick off for the team. By doing so, they can have a competent defender as the last line of defense on the return.
The new kick-off rule has the kicker and the one or two returners for the opposing team as the only players that can move before the kick is caught. Once the kick is caught, the players on the kick-off team and return team can then move, as they will have just five-to-10 yards of separation. Details on the rule can be found here.
Regardless, Justin Reid is a safety with kicking ability. He will be the perfect last line of defense if the returner breaks through the "line". This is something the Bears are reportedly exploring themselves.
Per special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, anyone will be given the opportunity to kick off thanks to the changes implemented by the NFL.
"Anybody with a helmet that can kick off," Hightower said, via Pro Football Talk, "is always in play."
This will be a fun wrinkle to explore as team look for ways to gain an edge on the rule change. In addition, Bears On Tap explored this idea on one of our recent shows, but on the kicking side. If a drop kick is in play on the kick off, new punter Tory Taylor could find a way to put an awkward spin on the kicks, leveraging his AFL experience, if a non-traditional returner is back to return. Explore that clip HERE (time stamp 56:20).
Regardless, the new kick-off rule brings such a fun new wrinkle into the NFL. It will be interesting to watch the development of team's strategies as they explore ways to gain the competitive edge on their opponents. We will get our first look at the Bears' new strategy this preseason.
