The new kick-off rules could lead NFL teams to get creative and switch things up a little on special teams.
Some don’t really like this rule, and while it should help players avoid injuries, it could also lead to more scoring opportunities.
With that in mind, it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers could think particularly out of the box.
Recently, RB Jaylen Warren told Steelers star Cam Heyward that Justin Fields could be one of their kick-off returners.
Talking to Heyward in his podcast, Warren revealed that special teams coordinator Danny Smith sees Fields out there as their second returner (Via ProFootballTalk).
“I would, I think it’s pretty cool — as soon as you touch the ball that’s when everything starts to happen,” Warren said. “Our special teams coordinator was talking about Justin Fields being back there. . . . We looked at him like, Justin Fields will be back there? I think it’s cool.”
Jaylen Warren: Steelers' special teams coach has discussed Justin Fields returning kicks. https://t.co/9czkob5Lzo
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 2, 2024
The Steelers signed return specialist Cordarelle Patterson, presumably to give him the bulk of the job as a returner.
But with those plays now being ‘safer,’ and considering that Fields is one of the best scramblers in the game, this isn’t much of a far-fetched idea.
Fields has rushed for over 2,000 yards in his brief career, and Warren claimed that he might even be the fastest player on the team.
Of course, this might not be what Fields had in mind when he was finally traded away from the Chicago Bears.
Still, Russell Wilson is currently expected to be the starting quarterback, meaning that Fields might only have one way to prove his worth in 2024, and that could be on special teams.
The Steelers aren’t messing around in 2024, and they won’t leave a stone unturned in their pursuit of putting up more points on the scoreboard, regardless of how they come.
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