Chiefs' Harrison Butker may be sidelined for kickoffs this season as team adjusts to new rules

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Harrison Butker was the talk of the sports world for weeks last month. And as the Kansas City Chiefs begin offseason organized team activities (OTAs), he may be sitting out kickoffs.

Not because of anything he’s said or done. It’s because of the NFL's new rules that have special teams coordinator Dave Toub intrigued.

In March, NFL owners agreed to overhaul kickoff rules and take a page out of the XFL.

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Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media ahead of the Super Bowl at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa Feb. 8, 2024, in Henderson, Nev. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

For the basic kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with 10 other members on special teams lined up at the opposing 40-yard line. Five players will be lined up on each side of the field.

The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the so-called "set-up zone" between the 30- and 35-yard line. At least seven of those players will be touching the 35-yard line. Two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line.

Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20-yard line. A kick that reaches the end zone in the air can either be returned or the returning team could opt for a touchback. In that case, the team receives the ball at the 30-yard line. If the ball goes out of the end zone, it will result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone, and it goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20-yard line or the kick could