The Kansas City Chiefs are making some strategic changes as they prepare for the upcoming season, and one of the key areas of focus is the kickoff duties.
However, this decision has nothing to do with recent controversial remarks made by kicker Harrison Butker during a commencement speech.
Instead, it is driven by new rules implemented in March that are set to change the dynamics of kickoffs in the NFL.
The new rules stipulate that any ball kicked into the “landing zone” from the goal line to the 20-yard line must be returned, eliminating the option for fair catches in this area.
Additionally, balls that bounce from the landing zone into the end zone must either be returned or downed for a touchback. These changes are aimed at creating more action with actual returns and could potentially put kickers in a position where they have to tackle during a kickoff return.
Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub explained the team's strategy in light of these new rules. The focus will be on getting the ball on the ground away from the opponent’s kick returner, allowing defenders to pursue before someone picks up the ball.
This approach aims to minimize the need for kickers to make tackles during kickoff returns, particularly with the increased potential for action in the landing zone.
Toub highlighted that the new rules and subsequent strategy align with the approach adopted by the XFL.
Drawing from their observations of XFL games, Toub noted that kickers were involved in a significant percentage of tackles, either by attempting to make a tackle, causing a player to bounce back, or missing the tackle altogether.
In light of these circumstances, Toub expressed a desire to minimize the frequency of kickers, such as Butker, having to make tackles throughout the season.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, they have a contingency plan in place with safety Justin Reid ready to step in as an emergency kicker.
Reid has previous experience filling in as a kicker during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022-23 season, where he handled seven kickoffs (resulting in five touchbacks) and two extra points.
Toub emphasized that Reid's abilities as a safety make him well-suited for kickoff coverage, as he is accustomed to pursuing and tackling on the field.
Toub also pointed out that having Reid as an emergency kicker presents challenges for opposing teams. Typically, teams may not account for a safety like Reid being involved in kickoff coverage, and his presence adds an additional dimension that opponents need to consider when planning their strategies.
As the Chiefs adapt to these new kickoff rules and tailor their approach accordingly, it raises questions about how other NFL teams will handle similar challenges, especially if they are not as well-equipped for the situation as the Chiefs.
It will be intriguing to monitor how different teams adjust their strategies and personnel to align with the new rules and optimize their kickoff coverage in the upcoming season.
The changes in kickoff rules and the subsequent adjustments made by teams like the Kansas City Chiefs underscore the dynamic nature of football and the ongoing efforts to enhance player safety while maintaining excitement and competitiveness within the game.
As teams continue to adapt and innovate in response to evolving rules and regulations, fans can expect to see strategic shifts and creative solutions aimed at maximizing performance on the field.
The 2022-23 NFL season is sure to showcase how teams navigate these changes and leverage their resources to excel in all facets of the game, including special teams and kickoff coverage.
