I watch his interview with Chris Long where he talked about this. Here is an article about it.
The NFL kickoff will be different in 2024 since the league's competition committee added new rules this offseason.
These new rules came to be because touchbacks became more expected on kickoff returns than actual returns themselves. The rules incentivize action and returns -- and tackling -- will be more important than ever, particularly on the last line of defense for the kicking team.
That's why the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have decided to insert safety Justin Reid as their new kickoff man. He filled in for kicker Harrison Butker in this capacity at different moments in the 2022 and 2023 seasons because of injury. Reid went 1 of 2 on extra points in Week 1 of the 2022 season at the Arizona Cardinals, a 44-21 Chiefs victory. His seven career kickoffs have traveled an average of 63.6 yards, and Reid has recorded five touchbacks.
"The advantage for us is that if I'm doing the job, which is what we're planning on doing, then I can fill that last gap, so it makes it a little bit easier, and nobody needs to win two gaps," Reid said on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast on Tuesday. "We're in a great place with it. Although I know he [Butker] can make some tackles, I think he's excited to preserve himself, and we can use him where we really need him, which is those fourth-quarter situations to go nail a 60-yard field goal and win the game. It would be devastating to try and trot a guy out there who's still nicked up from trying to make a tackle in the second quarter."
I don't see this rule persisting more than a few years if a rash of kicker injuries occur. I'm glad the Chiefs are preparing, but if the strategy of the new rule involves weighing risk of not injuring your kicker, it's an inherently dumb rule. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TwistedChief:
Do you have any idea how much more exciting this is going to make the game? And how the Chiefs will likely benefit by being ahead of the curve?
Is your life so boring that you’ve fallen in love with touchbacks? Can you point out on the doll where Butker touched you?
I don't like touchbacks.
I'm waiting to see how it plays out, but I doubt I will like new rule either.
I don't feel kickoffs are some sacred thing. If the NFL doesn't like them or the injuries, just freaking get rid of them already.
We can get rid of the single point attempt also. TD's are 7 points unless you want to go for two. [Reply]
Originally Posted by cdcox:
I don't see this rule persisting more than a few years if a rash of kicker injuries occur. I'm glad the Chiefs are preparing, but if the strategy of the new rule involves weighing risk of not injuring your kicker, it's an inherently dumb rule.
From what I know about the rule, it sounds rather tricky to ref as far as who can move when.
Surely nothing controversial is going to come out of that with flag/no flags. [Reply]
