The Kansas City Chiefs have made a surprise decision on how they’ll utilize kicker Harrison Butker for the upcoming 2024 season.
Earlier this offseason, Kansas City Chiefs coaches revealed they were considering using safety Justin Reid for kickoffs following the NFL’s rule changes. The thinking was that Reid would be a better open-field tackler than Harrison Butker, and that the latter would greatly reduce his risk of injuries without tackling on kickoffs.
But Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave revealed to Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star that they won’t make a change at the kickoff spot after all. The defending champions decided that Butker is their best guy in that spot, Toub explained.
“Butker’s going to be our main kickoff guy. I mean, hands down,” Toub said. “Because he can move the ball and do a lot of different things. He’s our most talented kickoff guy.”
The NFL changed its kickoff rules as a way to encourage more returns. One of the adjustments includes a rule where if the kickoff team sends the ball into or past the end zone for a touchback, the receiving team will get the ball on their 30-yard line. Previously, they would get the ball at the 25-yard line.
