The NFL radically changed the kickoff for the 2024 season, and the Chicago Bears were one of the first teams to experience it in Thursday night's Hall of Fame game against the Houston Texans.
You can learn all about the new kickoff here.
Wide receiver Tyler Scott is considered one of the leading candidates to be the Bears' primary kick returner in 2024, and he shared his thoughts on the flow of the play after the Bears' 21-17 weather-shortened victory.
"You grew up your whole life just catching it, having different levels and things of that nature, and now, everyone is kind of stacked," Scott said, via ESPN. "If a kick is kind of short, guys are right up on you. You've got to make one cut and go. I think there's benefits to that, because if one guy misses, then you're good. But at the same time, if you make the wrong cut, somebody is right there."
Watching it live, the new rules certainly seemed to give players like Scott a better chance to make a massive impact on a kick return. It felt like he and all the returners were a block or a cut away from springing a field-flipping gain.
The new kickoff looks like it will be safer, too.
"So far, I feel like it kind of protects guys a little bit more," Scott said. "Guys aren't getting a full head of steam coming down the field, taking shots on people. But I think for the most part, it'll work out pretty good. Just think we'll have a lot of explosive plays."
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester as part of its 2024 class. Imagine if he was returning kicks in this new format? Good lord.
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