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This is what/who we should expect to see in the return game!

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Vince Carbonneau
August 9, 2022  (7:25)
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One of the most exciting parts of any football game is punt and kick-off returns. This is also something that Bears fans know very well with a certain player named Devin Hester.

With that being said, Bears senior writer Larry Mayer was asked a few days ago about the Bears' current state of the return game. Here is what he had to say.

I agree that the return game will be one of the most intriguing areas to watch throughout the preseason. Three players who returned punts and kickoffs for the Bears are back this season. Khalil Herbert averaged 24.1 yards on 27 kickoff returns, while Dazz Newsome averaged 12.5 yards on six punt returns and Nsimba Webster averaged 3.3 yards on four punt returns. Free agent-acquisition Byron Pringle has also returned kicks in the NFL, averaging 26.6 yards with one touchdown on 37 kickoff returns the past three seasons with the Chiefs. The Bears added two explosive return specialists in the draft, choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round and Baylor running back Trestan Ebner in the sixth. Last season at Tennessee, Jones was named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 yards with one touchdown on 23 kickoff returns and 15.1 yards on 18 punt returns. Last year at Baylor, Ebner was voted Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 as a return specialist and all-purpose player after averaging 22.2 yards with one TD on 23 kickoff returns and 8.1 yards on 19 punt returns. Asked Tuesday about the most important quality he's seeking in a return specialist, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said the "No. 1 thing with returners is ball security. We need to make sure we catch the ball first, take care of the football. Obviously, we want to put it in the end zone, but our job at the end of the day is to take care of the football and make sure the offense has it if we don't punch it in first."

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