Bleacher Report NFL · May 30, 2024
Chiefs Considering Not Using Harrison Butker for Kickoffs After NFL Rule Change
Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub told reporters that the team may no longer use kicker Harrison Butker on kickoffs due to the NFL's new kickoff rule.
Instead, the team may opt to use safety Justin Reid or running back Louis Rees-Zammit, an ex-rugby union player.
Essentially, the new rules put kickers in a situation where they have a far greater chance to make a tackle.
The new rules are notably very similar to the old XFL kickoff rules. Toub said the team went back and looked at all the kickoffs and added that kickers were involved in 25 to 40 percent of the tackles. He doesn't want Butker having to make tackles all season and risk injury, hence the change-up here.