The NFL preseason kicked off with the Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on August 1, 2024, marking the debut of the league’s new ‘Dynamic Kickoff’ rule. The Bears emerged victorious with a 21-17 win in a game that was cut short due to thunderstorms with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter.The new kickoff rule, designed to increase player safety and encourage more returns, saw mixed results in its first outing. The game featured eight kickoffs, with only one resulting in a touchback and the longest return being a 31-yarder by Bears receiver John Jackson. The average starting position after returns was the 25.6-yard line, indicating that the rule change may need further refinement to achieve its intended goals.Despite the lack of explosive returns, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized that the rule change is a step in the right direction for player safety. The new setup requires the kicking team to line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, while the receiving team positions nine players on its own 35-yard line.On the field, Bears quarterback Brett Rypien stole the show, completing 11 of 15 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Collin Johnson also had a standout performance, catching three passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. For the Texans, Davis Mills started at quarterback, finishing 10 of 13 for 102 yards.Notably absent from the game were top draft picks Caleb Williams of the Bears and C.J. Stroud of the Texans, as both teams opted to protect their prized rookies from potential injury.As the NFL preseason continues, teams and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the new kickoff rule evolves and impacts the game. The Bears’ next preseason game is scheduled against the Buffalo Bills, while the rest of the league prepares for their first taste of action in the coming weeks.
Key points
- The NFL’s new ‘Dynamic Kickoff’ rule debuted in the Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.
- The Bears won 21-17 in a game cut short due to severe weather conditions.
- Bears quarterback Brett Rypien had a standout performance with three touchdown passes.
- The new kickoff rule showed mixed results, with limited impact on return distances.
Contradictions👾While the NFL promoted the new kickoff rule as ‘dynamic’, initial results showed limited impact on return distances and excitement.