The Kansas City Chiefs are considering taking kicker Harrison Butker off kickoff duties for the upcoming season. But the decision has nothing to do with his recent controversial remarks during a commencement speech that made national headlines.
The new rules implemented in March dictate that any ball kicked into the "landing zone" from the goal line to the 20-yard line must be returned. No more fair catches. Balls that bounce from the landing zone into the end zone must either be returned or downed for a touchback.
Creating more action with actual returns could increasingly put kickers in a position where they have to tackle during a kickoff return.