NFL Facing Intense Backlash After First Official Look At New Kickoff Rule

On Thursday night, the NFL opened its 2024 preseason with the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans. Unfortunately for NFL fans, the Bear's No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams, was ruled out for the game. However, fans did get to see the new NFL kickoff rule for the first time.

In the new 'dynamic kickoff,' teams still kick from their own 35-yard line. Up to two players can be back toward the endzone to receive the kick, but at least nine players on the receiving team have to line up between the 30 and 35-yard lines, aka the 'setup zone.'

The other ten players outside of the kicker on the kicking team can line up between the 40 and 45-yard lines, just ten yards away from the opposing squad. The idea is for the kicking team to not get as much of a running start, hopefully decreasing injuries.

Players in the setup zone can move once the ball is caught or lands in the 'landing zone,' which is between the endzone and the 20-yard line. If the kickoff goes into the endzone, the ball is placed at the 30-yard line, five yards further than last season.

After the first look, many NFL fans did not enjoy the new dynamic kickoff. They took to social media to leave their thoughts.

"Absolute trash"

"This is flat out awful"

"I absolutely don’t like this at all"

"So a trash rule"

"Nothing about this is ‘dynamic’? The old kick off was extremely dynamic, this is stationary"

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