Much is made of the need for the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense and defense to turn in strong showings in 2025-26. The third phase of the game, however, must be considered.
The reigning AFC champions didn’t win a bunch of close games without a quality special teams unit. Dave Toub’s group is looking to improve at training camp across all facets. The return game, particularly, is drawing plenty of attention.
Speaking to the media after a training camp practice on July 25, Toub provided an update on the position battles for punt and kickoff returner.
Chiefs Excited About Possibilities at Punt Returner
Several players stand out to the Chiefs’ assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.
That collective ranges from rookies (running back Brashard Smith), a familiar face (wide receiver Nikko Remigio) and a flat-out speedster (wideout Xavier Worthy).
“It’s so early right now obviously, but punt returner, I’m excited about Brashard,” Toub said. “He keeps getting better and better, didn’t do it a lot in college, so this is a new for him, but he’s really a good catcher, you know? And then obviously, Nikko just keeps getting better and better every day. He doesn’t make any mistakes. He’ll catch every ball. He’s dependable. And Worthy, he’s working back there as well. That’s going to be a big question [on] whether I can use him or not; obviously I’d love to have him back there, especially in certain situations, because he’s that guy that can really be dynamic with his top end speed. But obviously, you know, it’s all going to depend on what’s going on with Rashee [Rice].”
Smith, Kansas City’s seventh-round NFL Draft pick, is a converted wide receiver. He broke out during his final collegiate season, recording 1,659 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns at SMU. He has 53 kickoff returns on his resume, leading the conference with 579 yards and a 29-yard average back in 2023. Remigio has the most experience doing the job for the Chiefs.
Worthy remains a very interesting case. Contrary to Smith, he was almost exclusively a punt returner in addition to his wideout duties in college. Worthy’s 2023 season was his best in that regard, returning 22 punts for 371 yards (both best in the conference). Despite that, the Chiefs didn’t use him in that role as a rookie.
Kansas City’s Starting Returners May Be Chalk This Season
Reading between the lines, Toub seems to have a clubhouse favorite. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that it’s the more proven commodity as opposed to the developmental pieces.
“Other guys that are in there are all doing a good job,” Toub said. “They’re all working hard. It’s going to take the preseason games to make a real good judgement on that. Right now, Nikko is as far and above everybody else right now, just because he keeps getting better.”
Remigio, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Fresno State, led the Chiefs in kickoff returns (11) and yards (295) last season. In the playoffs, he averaged 30.1 yards per return. That mark would’ve been tied for fourth among all teams if sustained for the full year. Given the modern state of the NFL kickoff process, having a reliable option makes sense.
Punt returns is where things could get interesting. While it’s true that Remigio was one of two players to return a punt for Kansas City a year ago, the 2024-25 leader (Mecole Hardman) is no longer with the team. Was Remigio’s postseason performance, which included a 41-yard punt return against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game, enough to fight everyone else off?
Even with Toub’s intrigue regarding players like Smith and Worthy, that answer seems to be trending toward “yes” right now.
-1750516482-q80.webp "Revisiting The David Boston to Miami Trade 20 Years Later")
