The New York Jets are looking for a redemption season in 2024. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers already called the team “must-watch TV” this upcoming season.
Rodgers may not be the only reason why. Earlier this morning, the Jets signed veteran RB Tarik Cohen to their roster. Now, head coach Robert Saleh believes Cohen will help the team achieve unprecedented success in one aspect of their game. Read below to find out more.
Robert Saleh Predicts 100 Kickoff Returns for Jets in 2024
This morning, Saleh took part in a press conference following the Cohen signing. To say that Saleh was excited about the signing was an understatement. He believed that the Cohen addition could help the Jets take tremendous advantage of the new kickoff return rules on special teams:
“With the new kickoff rules, these kickoff returners are going to touch the ball 100 times a year… at least that’s what we’re anticipating. A guy like him (Cohen)… he’s still young… we’re excited to have him aboard.” -Robert Saleh
New Kickoff Return Rules Could Change the Game
Earlier this offseason, the NFL announced some major changes to the current kickoff rules. Some of the most notable changes are the other 10 players outside of the kicker will line up on the opponent’s 40-yard line. Nine players from the kickoff return team will line up between their 30 to 35-yard line.
That leaves two players in the “landing zone” for a kickoff return. The landing zone is from the endzone to the 20-yard line. Unless a ball lands in the endzone, a kickoff returner will not be able to call a fair catch under these current rules.
Players lined up also will not be able to move until the ball touches the ground or a player catches it. Combine that with touchbacks moving up to the 30-yard line if the ball gets kicked past the endzone, these new rules certainly discourage traditional touchbacks from taking place.
A relevant statistic here is no team had more than 31 kickoff returns in 2023. Saleh is predicting the Jets to have around 100 kickoff returns in 2024. This predicted number should emphasize the significance of these changes.
New York Jets Moving Forward
So, what can we expect from the New York Jets with this move? For one thing, they are willing to take a flyer on another running back who has seen better days.
Last year, the Jets did the same with RB Dalvin Cook. However, that did not last long, as Cook was cut before the end of the season. Now, Saleh and the Jets hope that Cohen can truly help make the team “must-watch TV” in 2024.
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