The National Football League (NFL) has implemented new rules for kickoffs in the 2024 season, aiming to increase returns and add more excitement to the game. These changes have led some teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, to consider using non-kickers for kickoff duties due to their ability to execute the new rule effectively and make tackles as coverage players.
Under the new rules, coverage players line up close to the return unit and cannot move forward until the ball is fielded. This makes hangtime irrelevant and emphasizes spacing and tackling. If a team kicks the ball out of bounds or outside of the landing zone, they are subject to a penalty, giving the opposing team possession at their 40-yard line.
The Chiefs have been preparing for this change by trying to get the ball on the ground away from returners as quickly as possible. Safety Justin Reid and running back Louis Rees-Zammit have been practicing kickoffs in place of Harrison Butker, who is known for his tackling abilities but may not be ideal for making multiple tackles throughout the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, another team that has been aggressive in preparing for the new rules, signed Cordarrelle Patterson as their return specialist shortly after the new rules were approved. However, some teams are exploring more radical departures from NFL norms by considering using non-kickers to kick off.
The Chiefs' special teams coordinator, Dave Toub, explained that kickers are involved in approximately 25 to 40 percent of tackles based on the XFL experience. He doesn't want Butker making tackles all year long and would prefer having a better tackler in on the play if possible.
The new rules have created more jobs, as teams now need players who can execute the new kickoff and make tackles. The Steelers, for example, may consider using non-placekickers for these duties due to their ability to contribute both on offense and defense.
These changes are expected to result in a significant increase in actual football plays during games. Last season, there were 1970 touchbacks throughout the 17-game season. With the new rules, there could be up to 1600 more plays per season. Fans are excited about this radical difference and the potential for more action on the field.