Jets backup RB crossing his fingers he's not returning kicks this year

Jets backup RB crossing his fingers he's not returning kicks this year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The New York Jets are entering the 2026 NFL season with a new-look defense and new-look offense after plenty of offseason moves.

>Looking across the entire offense, the only position group that's the same as last season is the running back room. Breece Hall signed a big extension, Brealon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are back as backups, too.

>However, ESPN's Rich Cimini shared that Allen, who's now 250 pounds, is crossing his fingers and hoping the Jets won't make him return kicks this season.

Braelon Allen 'Crossing my fingers' Jets don't make him return kicks"He made one thing abundantly clear about his future: He hopes his kick-returning days are over," Cimini writes. "That decision backfired last year after his season-ending injury. 'I'm crossing my fingers that they don't ask me to do that again,' he said."

>It makes sense that Allen wouldn't want to return kicks after getting hurt in such a role the previous season. That's not that outlandish.

>Kene Nwangwu is the better kick returner, and Isaiah Williams would also be better than Allen in that kick-returner role in 2026.

>Even though Allen might benefit from adding more abilities to his game, the 250-pound running back is coming off knee surgery and is roughly the same size as Derrick Henry.

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>Using him as a kick returner wouldn't make much sense for the Jets. Instead, he should be utilized as Hall's backup and change-of-pace back.

>During his 2024 rookie season, Allen ran the ball 92 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns with 22 first downs and no fumbles. He also caught 19 of 27 targets for 148 yards and a touchdown.

>But, this past season, in four games rather than a full season, he ran for 76 yards on 18 attempts with one touchdown, one fumble, four first downs, and two receptions on three targets for 17 yards.

>The Jets should not be using Allen as a kick returner again, and instead should strictly be a backup RB for the Jets offense. Even if he doesn't get much usage, his best role will be as a complementary back for Hall in 2026.

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