Bengals’ Charlie Jones becomes first player to return 2 kickoffs for touchdowns under new NFL rules – Winnipeg Free Press

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Bengals’ Charlie Jones becomes first player to return 2 kickoffs for touchdowns under new NFL rules – Winnipeg Free Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — Charlie Jones has certainly become a fan of the NFL's fast-paced kickoff rules.

The Bengals wide receiver became the first player to return the ball twice for a touchdown since the new rules were implemented last season.

Jones returned the kickoff 98 yards for a score during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.



Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones (15) celebrates his first return touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Jones took a nice hit near the numbers on the left side of the field and avoided an attempted tackle by Bears kicker Cairo Santos at the Bengals 49 before moving up the left sideline untouched. The third-year wide receiver then jumped into the stands to celebrate the win with the fans.

Of his nine starting touchdowns from last season, Jones is also the only one to run back on both kickoffs of the game. He returned the ball for 100 yards during last season's Week 7 game against Cleveland.

The dynamic kickoff rule, introduced last season and made permanent this year, has made the kickoff feel more like a scrum play. Players and blockers were positioned closer together to eliminate the high-speed collisions that led to injuries in past seasons.

Owners also voted in April to move touchbacks on kicks that reach the end zone on the fly from 30 to 35. This meant kicks reached the end zone and landed in the touchdown zone from the goal line to the 20-yard line.