NFL new kickoff rule, explained: Why Chiefs might bench Harrison Butker on kickoffs during 2024 season

Harrison Butker may have a diminished role with the Chiefs in 2024.

No, the change doesn't have anything to do with his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College. Instead, it springs from new kickoff rule changes in the NFL.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub is strategizing about the best time to use Butker on kickoffs. But the potential shift, which could involve safety Justin Reid taking kicks, is strictly a business decision.

The Sporting News explains why the Chiefs are considering the change as well as what the new kickoff rules are.

MORE: What are the new NFL rule changes for 2024?

What are the new NFL kickoff rules?

The NFL took a page out of the XFL's playbook with the new kickoff format.

For years leading up to 2024, players rarely used the kickoff as an opportunity to advance the ball. Instead, players took the safer route and opted for a touchback. Teams started on the 25-yard-line after a touchback, and it limited injuries in the process.

With the rule change, the NFL aims to create a safer kickoff format that promotes running the ball back.

The kicker will still kick from his own 35-yard line, but the rest of the team will line up on the opponent's 40. The returning team can have two players in the returning zone, while the rest are lined up in the set-up zone, which is between their own 35- and 30-yard lines.

The 10 field players on the kicking team, as well as the receiving team players in the set-up zone, cannot move until the ball either is caught by a returner or it hits the ground. Kickers cannot pass the 50-yard line until the ball is caught or lands. These rules are designed to keep players from running full speed at each other.

Kickers must land the ball inside the landing zone, which is between the returning team's 20-yard line and goal line. Any kick inside the landing zone must be returned.

If the ball lands before or beyond the landing zone, a touchback will result in the offense starting on the 30-yard line, a five-yard increase from previous years. If the ball hits within the landing zone and then goes into the end zone, that will result in a 20-yard touchback.

MORE: Which teams will have the biggest turnarounds in 2024?

Why the Chiefs may bench Harrison Butker?

Butker may not be the Chiefs' primary kicker on kickoffs during the 2024 season.

Despite the timing, the decision to possibly bench Butker has nothing to do with his speech. Rather, it's based on the new NFL rule changes to the kickoff format. The new format promotes kickoff returns rather than only going for touchbacks.

Butker is still the Chiefs' best kicker, so Toub plans on using him in some situations. He can easily force a touchback, but he can also place the ball more precisely than others.

Safety Justin Reid, who can kick as well, will also be in the mix as a kickoff specialist for the Chiefs.

The #Chiefs have considered not using Harrison Butker for all kickoffs and instead using a player like safety Justin Reid.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the new kickoff rule has kickers more involved in tackles, and they don't want that for Butker.

The full answer is… pic.twitter.com/V10t0QkMFf

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 30, 2024

Because most touchbacks now will result in the offense starting on the 30-yard line, the Chiefs may want to force a return instead. In doing so, Butker may be involved in tackling the returner, which is dangerous for the team's primary field goal kicker.

Instead, Toub discussed the possibility of using Reid as the kicker so there are 11 tacklers on the field. This will keep Butker healthy, which is a necessity for Kansas City. His ability to nail field goals has been a big factor for the offense.

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Harrison Butker 2023 stats

Butker made the fifth most field goals during the 2023 regular season. He ranked fourth with a 94.3% conversion rate among kickers with at least 25 attempts and is one of five kickers with a 60-plus yard field goal last season.