The Dynamic Kickoff has officially arrived in the NFL. In an effort to turn a bathroom-break touchback into an exciting play, the league has adopted a new setup that produced favorable results in the XFL. People who may not be familiar with this rule are getting to see it unfold at the Hall of Fame Game showdown between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears.
Veteran kicker Cairo Santos ushered NFL fans into this new era, as players from both the kicking and receiving teams stood approximately five yards apart from each other (except the returners who stand inside the 20-yard line of receiving team's goal line. Because neither coverage guys nor blockers can move until the ball is touched, the anticipation is there will be more explosive returns than there has been in a while.
That did not happen on opening kickoff, however. Steven Sims, who thrilled everyone with a 67-yard punt return touchdown in the playoffs last year, only made it 26 yards to the 21-yard line before being tackled to the ground. The underwhelming occurrence is obviously not how the NFL would have preferred to unveil the Dynamic Kickoff, but such a play will be tough to judge in an exhibition like the Hall of Fame Game.
Nevertheless, people are taking to social media to weigh in on the concept and layout.
How long will it take for the new rule to produce results?
As you can see, per Barstool Sports' post on X, formerly Twitter, not everyone is enthused about the Dynamic Kickoff. The idea is to not only facilitate longer returns, but also decrease injuries. Both issues were under the microscope last season, and thus compelled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and company to seek a change.
There will still be hiccups, though, which David Lombardi immediately pointed out. “First dynamic kickoff definitely featured an uncalled false start,” The Athletic's San Francisco 49ers insider said.
But when all the wrinkles are hopefully ironed out, kickoffs will ideally be worth watching again. Fans might have to wait out the next month, however, since coaches will likely want to withhold their secrets until the games begin to matter in September.
“Feel like most special teams coordinators will hide their more creative approaches to the new kickoff during the preseason,” ESPN's Mina Kimes posted. In any case, many people are pleased to see something different than the anticlimactic routine they became all too accustomed to over the last several seasons.
This latest innovation has the potential to liven up a league that already towers above the rest in the United States (in terms of popularity and revenue). A return touchdown in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game would reinforce that notion.
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