Cooper Kupp confirms new role as kicker for Rams kickoff unit

The NFL will implement a new kickoff system this season. Due to rule changes that may place more pressure on the kicker to stop a returner, there have been rumors that some teams are considering entrusting more physically experienced players with the kickoff. The Kansas City Chiefs were the first to consider the change, as they are expected to entrust safety Justin Reid with the kickoff, and now it looks like the Los Angeles Rams will follow their lead.

In his podcast Daily drudgery WR Cooper Kupp, co-host of the show, has announced that he will kick for the Rams' kickoff unit in Detroit on Sunday Night Football.

At about 7:20 the experienced wide receiver says:

“There are six days until kickoff and I'm going to take the opening kickoff. I'm going to drop it right here. I'm going to stand out there and kick the ball to get things going. Pretty cool, pretty cool.”

To be clear, this move has not yet been confirmed by head coach Sean McVay. While it may sound like a joke on some level, there have been many changes this season that help special teams and the kickoff play a larger role in the game. Teams that are quicker to accept and adapt to these changes will be the first to gain a competitive advantage.

Surprisingly, Kupp actually has some experience kicking. He mastered punts in high school and averaged 33 yards per kick during his senior year at Davis High in Washington. Another advantage for him is the fact that he only has to get the ball into the landing zone (20-yard line to the goal line), as a kick for a touchback now results in the ball landing at the 30-yard line rather than the 25-yard line as in previous years. Kupp has no formal experience as a kicker in the NFL, but has returned kicks in the past.

It remains to be seen if Kupp will actually take the kickoff or if rookie kicker Josh Karty will remain in that role, but one thing is certain – the dynamic kickoff is already starting to change the NFL. The importance of special teams and the value of kickers could change drastically in the future.