JT Gray expects action at kickoffs this season: It will be great

JT Gray has never played more than 41 snaps on defense in any of his six NFL seasons, but has remained loyal to the Saints because of his special teams skills.

Gray was named All-Pro and Pro Bowl as a special teamer in 2021 and has played more than 300 special teams snaps in each of the last four seasons.

That’s why Gray is excited about the NFL’s new kickoff format.

“So, (the new kickoff rule) is pretty interesting,” Gray told NFL Media’s Steve Wyche. “We’ve been doing this in OTAs this year, since Day 1. Since the new rule was introduced, I feel like it’s Changing the value the special teams. I think it’s going to be great because there’s going to be action on every first play of the game. I think it’s going to be great for the NFL and great for the fans.”

The NFL’s kickoff rule, a version of the XFL rule, could breathe new life into a play that had become a “ceremony.” Or kickoffs could remain a dead play.

Some fear that when touchbacks occur at the 30-yard line, teams will simply opt to kick the ball through the end zone, as they have done in the past.

The Saints will be in good shape if teams allow them to return kickoffs, as Rashid Shaheed earned Pro Bowl honors last season.