Dolphins' Tyreek Hill: NFL's Kickoff Rule is 'Great,' Gives Returners 'More Value'

Tyreek Hill approves of the NFL's new kickoff rules.

While making an appearance on the Around The Bar Podcast, the Miami Dolphins star commended the NFL for the change and said it will give kick returners "more value."

"I think this rule is great," Hill said (20:40 mark). "This gives, like I said, returners more value. This helps them earn their money."

Under the new rule, which will be put into place during the 2024 season, the kicking team will still kick off from the 35-yard line, but the rest of the kicking team will line up at their opponent's 40-yard line. The returning team can have up to two returners in the backfield and the rest of the team will line up between the 30- and 35-yard line.

Another major aspect of the rule is that no players on either team will be able to move until the returner touches the ball or the ball hits the ground. The new rule also eliminates fair catches.

By moving the kicking team up to the 40-yard line and preventing them from moving before the ball is fielded, it removes the traditional running start and gives the receiving team a better chance for a return.

Not only does the new rule set up a season of big returns, it could help eliminate injuries. With most players on the field forced to remain stagnant until the ball is fielded, players won't be colliding at full speed as they have in previous years.

Last season, about 75 percent of kickoffs resulted in a touchback—a number that is likely to change drastically in the 2024 season.

As Hill said, the new rule sets the stage for returners to have a big year. He mentioned his teammate, wide receiver Braxton Berrios, as an example of a player who could prove his worth on returns this season.

There's no denying that big kick returns make games much more exciting, and fans could be in for a treat with the updated rules.