Justin Reid, Chiefs’ safety, would ‘love’ to be their kickoff specialist next season after Dave Toub’s comments

Justin Reid has been practicing his kicking before the OTA began and may well replace Butker if required.

Justin Reid, Chiefs’ safety, would ‘love’ to be their kickoff specialist next season after Dave Toub’s comments

Justin Reid ready for kickoff duty (Image via IMAGO)

If David Toub and Andy Reid permitted it, then Justin Reid would happily take the kick-off duty off Harrison Butker’s feat. He certainly has the credentials that the Chiefs can put to good use.

After OTAs last week, Chiefs assistant head coach and special team coordinator David Toub informed the media that they were thinking about dropping Harrison Butker from the kickoff and punt return duty. He will still remain the Chiefs’ primary field goal specialist.

Following the rule change in kick-off and returns, any ball kicked into the ‘landing zone’ from the goal line to the 20-yard line must be returned. For kickers who don’t wear pads or have less muscle mass compared to other players on the field, might fall prey to rushing players. So, using Justin Reid as an alternative can come in handy for the Chiefs, considering he has already started practicing it.

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I think it was already understood without having to be said out loud. Every year, I try to kick, 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.
Justin Reid said after Friday’s practice

Butker has yet to comment on it, but because of the new rules, it’s hard for him to argue against a much viable option.

Justin Reid started taking kicking seriously right after the rule change

The NFL announced the kick-off rule change earlier this year. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this would bring a thrill to the game citing a few XFL highlights.

Justin Reid, Chiefs' safety, would 'love' to be their kickoff specialist next season after Dave Toub's comments
Kansas City Chiefs Safety Justin Reid (Image via IMAGO)

They opted to introduce the rule from the 2024 season instead of adding it to the last Super Bowl. Reid revealed that he had been practicing his kicks ever since the announcement.

I have a tee and some football that I had taken with me [before we started OTA]. I worked on it in just some grass fields making sure there was some good contact
Justin Reid said

The 27-year-old safety has experience kicking footballs in a professional NFL game. Chiefs Kingdom may remember Reid filling in for Harrison Butker in the Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022-23 season. He successfully dispatched 7 kickoffs with 5 touchbacks and scored 2 extra points for Kansas City.

However, let’s not forget the two-time Super Bowl winner is also competent in pass coverage. Last season he had a combined 95 tackles, 3 Sacks, and 1 fumble return.

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