Patriots leave kickoff returner position open ahead of regular season opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 10:26 PM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
The New England Patriots have not yet named a primary kickoff returner as the team prepares for the regular season. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer confirmed that the role will remain open, with the final selection dependent on the active roster for each specific game day. While Marcus Jones is among the candidates, the coaching staff intends to use a rotation of personnel rather than relying on a single player for every return. This strategy allows the team to account for players’ responsibilities on offense and defense, as well as specific matchup needs. The decision reflects the approach of a special teams unit that ranked second in the league in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus. The team continues to rely on a deep group that includes contributors like Brenden Schooler and Antonio Gibson.
- •Jeremy Springer opted against naming a starting kickoff returner.
- •The returner choice will depend on which players are active on game days.
- •Marcus Jones remains a candidate despite potential duties on offense and defense.
- •The New England Patriots special teams unit finished the 2024 season with a 90.3 grade from PFF.
- 10:26 PMYahoo Sports — Jeremy Springer Keeps Kickoff Returner Job Wide Open as Patriots Prepare for Season
"The New England Patriots have plenty of questions to answer before the season opener; however, one of them is hiding in plain sight. Who actually wants the kickoff return job? Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer is not ready to give anyone the title. The Patriots have several players capable of handling returns, and Springer made […] The post Jeremy Springer Keeps Kickoff Returner Job Wide Open as Patriots Prepare for Season appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
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