Chiefs S Justin Reid has been working off tee, would 'love to' serve as team's kickoff specialist

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker said Thursday he’s been hitting the weights more frequently this offseason to prepare for the new kickoff rule.

One of Baltimore’s biggest rivals, the Chiefs, revealed a different approach a week earlier when special teams coordinator Dave Toub said Kansas City is considering removing its placekicker from the play altogether, instead electing to use safety Justin Reid as a kickoff specialist.

Reid, who is always eager to seize an opportunity to put on his kicking boots, seems to be completely invested in his coordinator’s idea.

Reid expressed his willingness to take on the new role on Friday, citing the crucial importance of special teams in the game. “I’d be happy to,” he said. “Special teams is a critical component of the game. It’s one of the three pillars: offense, defense, and special teams. It was the deciding factor in our Super Bowl win or loss. Special teams can make a massive impact, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help us secure a victory.”

Reid has played a crucial role in the defense for K.C. during their last two Super Bowl pursuits. He started in 40 games throughout the regular seasons and playoffs. His contributions included 225 tackles, 15 defensed passes, and 5.5 sacks.

His first game ever as a Chief, back in Week 1 of 2022, Reid also took on extra duties after Harrison Butker suffered a first-quarter injury against the Cardinals.

He successfully converted one of his two extra point tries. On average, he kicked 63.6 yards per kickoff and managed to achieve touchbacks on five out of his seven attempts.

“Each year, I attempt to kick,” Reid stated. “I find it enjoyable, so for the past two years, I’ve requested Coach Toub to allow me to participate during the preseason. Naturally, he agreed, knowing that I would be enthusiastic about it, especially considering the Arizona game from the first year. We believe it could become a beneficial strategy for us this year.”

The rationale for employing a safety as the team’s kickoff specialist is dual-pronged. Despite the rule preventing the kicker from crossing the 50-yard line until the ball is received or hits the ground, this setup can increase his involvement in containing the returner. This is due to the new play alignment, where the rest of the kicking team positions themselves at the opposing 40, opposite the receiving team’s blockers who are arranged between the 35- and 30-yard line.

Removing Butker from the equation lessens the risk of him getting injured while attempting more tackles; Incorporating Reid into the formula adds another hard-hitter capable of making a significant play on special teams.

The new kickoff, however, presents a greater challenge and necessitates greater precision. A kickoff that lands in the end zone or beyond it enables the opposition to start at the 30-yard line. However, if the kickoff falls short of the target zone, between the goal line and the 20-yard-line, it will be treated as out of bounds. This will result in the offense starting at their own 40-yard line.

Reid is conscious of the new guidelines and has informed journalists that he’s been honing his skills with footballs and a tee away from official team exercises. Following a period of off-season kicking drills, the next probable move will be to allow Reid to demonstrate his talents in the preseason, something he’s been eager to do for the past few years.

The effectiveness during that period should dictate whether the Chiefs persist with their unconventional strategies when the games matter.

Reid believes that only good can result from it if he executes it properly.

“He said, ‘Good things are bound to happen as long as the ball is in play and we have an additional player running down there like a heat-seeking missile,'”