Former President Donald Trump has criticized the NFL’s new “dynamic kickoff” rules for the 2024 season, calling it “the beginning of the end” for the league.
The NFL claims these new rules aim to “promote more kickoff returns” while reducing “injury rates on kickoffs.” You can check out the full details here.
In a Truth Social post, Trump expressed his disbelief, saying, “I can’t believe the NFL is effectively getting rid of the always exciting Kick Off Return…BEGINNING OF THE END!”
Ian Maule
The new rules dictate that the kicking team must line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line and remain stationary until the ball touches the ground, the end zone, or a player in the “landing zone,” which is located between the 20- and 30-yard lines.
The kicker will still kick from their own 35-yard line but cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball is in motion. Onside kicks are now limited; they must be announced beforehand by the trailing team during the fourth quarter.
The receiving team will line up in a “setup zone” between the 30- and 35-yard lines, needing to return any ball that lands in the landing zone, unless it goes into the end zone. Touchbacks are also discouraged, with the ball placed at the 30-yard line for a kick that goes directly into the end zone.
Interestingly, despite Trump’s concerns, the NFL reports that these changes have led to a significant increase in kickoff returns during preseason games, tripling the return rate compared to last year’s record low of 22.1 percent. Under the new rules, kickoffs were returned in 70.5 percent of preseason games.
Former NFL player and analyst Bill Cowher commended the changes, emphasizing that they could enhance the excitement of returns and make the game safer. “I like it. We’re trying to bring back the return,” he noted. “Last Super Bowl had 13 kickoffs with not one returned. It looks strange at first, but I’m excited for it.”