Kansas City Chiefs emergency kicker reacts to new kickoff rule coming in 2024 season
On Tuesday, the NFL implemented a new rule—well, a couple of new rules. Obviously, there is a big fuss about the hip-drop tackle rule, which makes it harder for defenses to tackle from behind, as if playing on that side of the ball wasn't hard enough. Now, they are changing the way the kickoff is […]
On Tuesday, the NFL implemented a new rule—well, a couple of new rules. Obviously, there is a big fuss about the hip-drop tackle rule, which makes it harder for defenses to tackle from behind, as if playing on that side of the ball wasn't hard enough. Now, they are changing the way the kickoff is played, and while some are upset, others, like players on the Kansas City Chiefs, are happy about it.
If you are still not sure about the new rule, this excerpt from The Athletic breaks down the new rule perfectly:
The proposal aims to increase kickoff returns and reduce injury by eliminating the running start of the kickoff team and by incentivizing kickers to drop kicks into a landing zone, which extends from the goal line to the 20-yard line. Any kick that drops in the landing zone must be returned. If it bounces into the end zone from the landing zone, it must be returned or downed, and any kick that falls short of the landing zone will be treated like an out-of-bounds kickoff and placed on the receiving team's 40-yard line. Any kick that lands in the end zone or goes out of the back of the end zone is a touchback and placed on the 30-yard line. – Kalyn Kahler, The Athletic
This is supposed to do two things for the game of football. It takes away touchbacks, which should give more action, and keeps the players safer than they would originally be. I know this upsets people, as they think this is taking away from the game they grew up watching, but we have to remember that this is a one-year trial for now.
When the rule was announced on Tuesday, the Chiefs kicker, Justin Reid, their emergency kicker and safety, had a perfect response.
"I'll keep the leg ready."
Reid has made an extra point before for the Chiefs and has done seven kickoffs before as well. He is no stranger to kicking the football and could even do it in 2024. Either way, it seems this is another rule that the players are pretty much split on.
Chiefs’ Justin Reid reacts to being a kicker in Madden 24
That’s so cool.
