Justin Reid is already getting used to the idea that he could fill two roles with the Chiefs in 2024

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There’s a new rule for the 2024 NFL season, and it’s related to special teams.

In March this year, the NFL approved a change to the kickoff rule with a view to making this specific moment in the game more impactful and competitive.

Until the 2023 season, only 20 per cent of kicks were returned. With the new rule, the hope is that this number will rise to 50 or 60 per cent without increasing the number of injuries (a major problem with this play).

Inspired by the XFL kickoff, the league’s new kickoff was devised by the special teams coordinators over the last two years.

Here’s how it works: the kicker will continue to kick the ball from his own 35-yard line. However, his team’s players will be positioned on the 40-yard line of the opponent’s territory, and their distribution on the field will be the same as it is today.

That’s why each of the 32 teams is exploring possibilities to gain an advantage in the kickoffs.

Dave Toub has his favourite players for the role

About a week ago, special teams coordinator Dave Toub gave an interview answering who the Chiefs are thinking of placing in the returner role.

He mentioned the names of Justin Reid and even Louis Res-Zammit as potential candidates to fill the vacancy.

Toub was keen to make it clear that he doesn’t want Harrison Butker playing this role because of injury risks.

Reid is probably the most favoured for the assignment. On the Friday after OTAs, the safety was present at the press conference and admitted that he was already expecting to be in charge of kickoff returns.

“I think it was already understood without having to be said out loud,” he declared. “Every year, I try to kick. I just like to do it for fun. I petitioned Coach Toub the last two years to let me get some in the preseason…It was just a natural fit. He knew I would be excited about it, and we think we can turn it into a weapon this year.”

How Reid is preparing for his new mission

It seems that Justin Reid is already familiar with the new approach that the NFL will adopt this year and has already been training.

“I have a tee and some football that I had taken with me before we started OTAs,” he revealed. “I worked on it in just some grass fields making sure there was some good contact. OTAs has been mainly here, and I will take those same footballs with me in this next break and just continue to stay sharp with it.”

The veteran also mentioned how crucial the work of the special teams was to the Chiefs’ victory in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Special teams plays a vital role in the game,” claimed. “The game is three phases: offense, defense, and special teams. In the Super Bowl, special teams was the difference between us winning and losing. We had that punt that we were able to capitalize on and get the ball back for our offense near their goal line and capitalize on that turnover. Special teams makes a humongous difference, and I’m willing to do anything to help us win.”

Reid finished by giving a ‘message’ about what the fans might be surprised to see this season.

“Just have the ultimate confidence and comfort that the ball will be in play,” he said. “That it won’t be a penalty, and the other team will get it at the 40. As long as the ball is in play – and we have an extra guy running down there like a heat-seeking missile – good things are going to happen.”