NFL owners voted to approve a massive change to kickoffs on a one-year trial basis in 2024.

The Kansas City Chiefs were one of 29 teams who voted for approval of the change, with the Las Vegas Raiders, San Franciso 49ers, and Green Bay Packers as the only dissenting voters. The new hybrid kickoff was developed to increase kickoff returns from their all-time low of 21.7% in 2023 while reducing injuries on what was once one of the most exciting facets of the game. 

The changes will also have an impact on roster composition for teams that place a strong emphasis on and value on special teams play. 

Explaining the new NFL hybrid kickoff rule

The new hybrid kickoff is very much based on the rule that debuted in the XFL back in 2020. In the XFL, players lined up farther downfield, but the NFL's rule is slightly different.

Here's what the new NFL kickoff will look like:

A summary of the rules: 

• Kickers will still kickoff from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up ahead of the kicker, at the receiving team's 40-yard line.
• The kickoff team can use an unbalanced formation.
• At least nine players for the return team will line up in a setup zone.
• Up to two returners can line up in a landing zone. 
• No one other than the kicker and kick return specialist(s) can move until the ball either A. hits the ground or B. hits a player inside the landing zone.
• There are no fair catches on kickoffs. Any kick between the 20 and the end zone must be returned
• Touchbacks that bounce into the endzone are placed on the 20-yard line. 
• End zone touchbacks go to the 30-yard line
• Kicks that don't reach the landing zone result in the ball being placed at the 40-yard line.
• Teams must declare if they intend to attempt an onside kick (no more surprise onside kicks). 

Here's how the play will now look: 

WEEEE LOOOOOVE XFL KICKOOOOOFFS!!!

UNREAL.

? @espn
? https://t.co/qZVDJBytZi pic.twitter.com/kudFLbJCW2

— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 23, 2020

How the rule will impact the Chiefs' 53-man roster in 2024

How does this all impact the Chiefs? Special teams coordinator Dave Toub already had a significant influence on the roster when kick returns were basically a ceremonial play. Now, that there is a possibility for innovation, creativity, and more kick returns, he'll likely have an even greater influence on roster composition at the bottom of the roster. 

There will be a greater emphasis on players who are strong blockers and those who can shed blocks rather than the skill sets required to get down the length of the football field rather quickly. That might mean carrying an extra tight end, fullback, running back, linebacker, or safety on the roster as opposed to an extra cornerback or wide receiver. You'll still need those skill sets for punt returns and coverage units, of course, but with an expected rate of 90% on kick returns now, there should be a greater emphasis on that aspect of roster construction.

The fact that you can draw up plays with zone and man blocking styles, trap plays, and general unique play design with a greater frequency on this style of kickoff means teams need distinct skill sets to match. The kick return specialist position certainly changes now, too. There will be less focus on top-end speed and open-field decision-making, but more emphasis on vision, quickness, and short-area burst. 

It could be good news for an elusive player like Kadarius Toney, but league-wide we might not see as many wide receivers as return specialists. We'll likely see more running backs like Isiah Pacheco and Deneric Prince taking kick returns. You need players who can navigate traffic well and break tackles, compared to those who can best navigate wide-open spaces. 

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