Chiefs considering using Justin Reid for kickoffs

The Kansas City Chiefs are considering using safety Justin Reid for some of their kicking needs with the NFL's new kickoff format.

"I like to have somebody that can go back, is able to make a tackle," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said when asked about the safety's potential role. "(Harrison) Butker is able to make a tackle, but I really don't want him making tackles all year long.

"(Reid) can cover, I mean he can kick. He can go down there and make tackles. He's an extra guy that they're probably not accounting for."

Reid, 27, previously kicked for the Chiefs when Butker was unavailable, making one of two extra points and handling seven kickoffs.

"We watched every (XFL kickoff)," Toub said. "I bet kickers were involved in probably at least 25-40% of the tackles. ... We don't want Butker in that situation."

Toub added that the Chiefs will still use Butker on some kickoffs due to his accuracy. The 28-year-old could also be used when the team wants to force a touchback. Butker has forced touchbacks on 70.8% of his kickoffs since entering the league in 2017.

The NFL's new rules encourage more kickoff returns and see touchbacks come out to the 30-yard line rather than the 25. In addition, the receiving team can have up to two returners in the designated landing zone, adding more relevance to where the kickoff is placed on the field.

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