Xavier Gipson In Open Competition For Return Job

Xavier Gipson In Open Competition For Return Job

6 months ago

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said wide receiver Xavier Gipson still has "first dibs" on the kick-return job this year, but that it's also an "open competition" involving former Pro Bowl return man Tarik Cohen. Saleh said the soon-to-be-signed running back is an "explosive playmaker" and remembers it being "a nightmare" trying to defend with the Chicago Bears. Cohen could be intriguing with the league's new kickoff rules, starting in 2024, but the 28-year-old speedster is going to need to finally stay healthy to put himself in a position to make an impact for the Jets on special teams. Gipson, a former undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin, returned 33 punts for 319 yards and a touchdown and 22 kickoffs for 511 yards in his rookie campaign in 2023 as the Jets' primary return specialist.

Source: NJ Advance Media - Andy Vasquez