New NFL kickoff rules could cause some teams to change their approach to a key part of the game. One member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff appears to have come up with a unique way to give them an advantage when receiving the ball.
Appearing on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” podcast, Steelers teammate Jalen Warren said special teams coordinator Danny Smith is considering using quarterback Justin Fields as a potential returner. He said he was there.
“Our special teams coordinator was talking about Justin Fields coming back there.” Fields said in a recent episode.. “We were like, ‘Wait a minute! Wait a minute!'” We asked him, ‘Is Justin Fields going to be back there soon? ” I looked at him as if to say, “What?” ”
Following the rule change, the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson, the NFL’s all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns.
According to the new rules, players on the kicking team will line up on the opponent’s 40-yard line. Those players may not move and the kicker may not move beyond the 50-yard line until the ball hits the ground or hits a receiving player who is in the “landing zone” (20 from the goal line) or the end zone.
A minimum of nine players on the receiving team must line up in the “setup zone” between the 30-yard line and the 35-yard line, and a maximum of two returners must line up in the landing zone. In this potential scenario, it would be Fields and Patterson.
After acquiring Fields from the Chicago Bears in March for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, the Steelers traded Russell Russell after the Denver Broncos released their quarterback and traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. Signed with Wilson.
Adding both Fields and Wilson to the roster will set up a quarterback competition during training camp. If the experienced Wilson wins, it could be beneficial to find creative ways to involve Fields, who ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine, in the offense.
Fields has 2,220 career rushing yards and averages 55.5 yards on the ground per game in three NFL seasons.
While Coach Smith may have had this idea in his head, general manager Omar Khan may nix it solely because of what could be the end result as part of a trade. According to ESPN, there is uncertainty as to whether special teams snaps will be included in the playing time clause in his contract with the Bears. If Fields plays at least 51% of the offensive snaps, the 2025 sixth-round pick becomes a fourth-round pick.