Chicago Bears coach thinks Eagles are cheating NFL rules before matchup

The Chicago Bears are set to play the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football” in Week 3, and a coach thinks the Eagles are trying to cheat a rule to gain an advantage on special teams.

The Eagles legally put a 12th player (holder) on the field to hold the ball on kickoffs during their win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. The holder had to run off the field immediately after the ball was kicked.

However, Philadelphia used the holder to move the ball in a way that affected the outcome of the trajectory of the kick, making it more difficult for a kick returner to catch the ball and return it upfield. It’s not dissimilar to what the Bears try to do on “banana ball” punts.

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower doesn’t think the Eagles should be allowed to use the holder the way they are without a kicking tee. The rule allowing the 12th play was initially supposed to be for poor weather conditions like wind.

Chicago Bears want rule changed before Eagles game

Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

This offseason, the rule changed, allowing teams to use the holder at any time. However, the ball is supposed to be on a kicking tee.

“That’s the intent of the rule and what we want to have happen, so that’s the way it should be, and that’s the way we’d like it going forward,” Hightower said, via Pro Football Talk.

Special teams coaches were set to have a conference call to talk about the issue.

It remains to be seen if the league will look to make using a tee mandatory when using a holder.

Regardless, the timing of Hightower’s complaint adds extra intrigue before the Bears are set to host the Eagles on Monday night. Given that Chicago will be without Caleb Williams and could be without backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, the Bears don’t need to give the Eagles any extra advantages.

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