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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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The NFL rules committee met back in March and voted on a wild kickoff rule that is now being implemented for the 2024 season. The new kickoff rules were initially showcased in the XFL league, and are now being adopted at the professional level.
Read more: Breakdown of Wild Proposed Kickoff Rule for 2024 Season
Per the new rules, the kicking team will be kicking from their own 35-yard line. However, the kicking team's defenders will now line up on the opposing team's 40-yard line. A minimum of nine players from the receiving team will line up anywhere between their own 30- and 35-yard line to help the returner try to gain chunk yardage.
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This new rule is to mitigate the low amount of kickoff returns the NFL saw in 2023. Because of the new rules, teams have been signing return specialists in hopes they can ignite their return game.
The New York Jets are one of those teams, as they have announced the signing of former return specialist and running back Tarik Cohen, who was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month.
Cohen has not played in the NFL since the 2020 season after suffering multiple injuries that derailed his career. He broke his leg and tore both his MCL and ACL in the 2020 season, and also suffered a torn Achilles in 2022. Despite these injuries, Cohen is attempting a comeback with the Jets.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh explained the signing to reporters on Wedensday, and revealed how the new rules have led to the team giving Cohen a chance to revitalize his career.
"Tarik is an explosive playmaker. He's starting to get back healthy," Saleh said. "With the new kickoff rules, and these kick returners — they are going to touch the ball 100 times a year, which is significant. At least, that is what we are anticipating."
Saleh sees the benefit of having a return specialist on the team, and Cohen should be past his former injuries, ready to give the team a jumpstart in this new kickoff model.
Before his injuries, Cohen notched All-Pro honors in the 2018 season with the Chicago Bears. He would secure 1,599 all-purpose yards with 444 rushing, 725 receiving, and 411 punt return yards.
Cohen also had 583 kick return yards in the 2017 season, with a 22.4 yards per return average. The Jets join the Pittsburgh Steelers — who signed former Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner Cordarelle Patterson — as teams trying to take advantage of the new rules.
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