Jets Turn Fullback Andrew Beck Into a Kickoff Specialist

Beck, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound player listed as a fullback, kicked off for the Jets in their November 8 game against the Chiefs. NFL teams generally use a kicker or punter for the job, but New York put Beck on the field for all five kickoffs, aiming to add another tackler to its coverage unit.

His kicks traveled 59, 56, 59 and 61 yards. The exception came to open the second half, when Beck sent the ball out of bounds and gave Kansas City possession at its 40-yard line. The Chiefs turned that field position into a touchdown, expanding a two-point lead to nine in a game they won 35-12.

The Jets had been struggling on kickoff coverage and had recently allowed Las Vegas to return a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Injuries had also affected the unit. Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said the team had worked on the idea for a while, while coach Aaron Glenn said he looks for ways to get good players on the field.

Beck said the plan was to keep the ball in play and let the coverage team pursue the returner. He added that the team could use the approach again if Banjo wanted. New Orleans has also used a non-kicker on a kickoff this season, with safety Justin Reid handling one in Week 3.

Beck, 30, has played for New England, Denver, Houston, Green Bay and the Jets since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has worked as a fullback, lined up at tight end and made four special teams tackles for New York. He said he is also an emergency long snapper, kicker and punter, though he would rather leave field goals to Jets kicker Jason Sanders.