NFL fans react to new kickoff rules after preseason debut & it fell flat

The new NFL kickoff rules debuted on Thursday as the Texans and Bears played in the preseason opener and the reviews weren't great.

Randy Gurzi | Aug 2, 2024

The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame game Chicago Bears vs, the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton Thursday ,August 1 , 2024. / Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK

Thursday brought us the return of the NFL. The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears faced off in the first preseason game of 2024 and the focal point was the new kickoff rule.

This year, the NFL is testing out a new formation that mirrors what the XFL used.

The goal is to help eliminate injuries as players will have less time to build up speed before collisions. It also allows teams to set up blocks which has led to excitement for skilled returners such as KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys.

WATCH: KaVontae Turpin practices new kickoff rules, jukes out entire team

Houston had the first crack at returning a kick in the new formation and it was underwhelming with Steven Sims gaining 21 yards, giving his team the ball at the 26.

While there might not have been a lot of excitement on the return, there was quite the reaction on social media — with most being negative.

New NFL kickoff is here.

What happened to the game I love?pic.twitter.com/mcF2xbKI0n
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 2, 2024

The new nfl kickoff rule is a joke I’m sorry lmao pic.twitter.com/xpHzJ066Eq
— John (@iam_johnw) August 2, 2024

The one spot I made a point to be on no matter what was the kickoff team.

Buckle your chinstrap, bite down hard on your mouthpiece, take a deep breath, sprint down field, and blast somebody.

That it was dangerous was part of the thrill.

This is whack.
pic.twitter.com/63ReTL3IMx
— Joel | Save Your Marriage (@TheeJoelLopez) August 2, 2024

The new NFL kick off rule sucks!!
— Joj (@Sgeorgewilly) August 2, 2024

Visually, the new NFL Kickoff is so weird
— J4Brooks (@J4_Brooks) August 2, 2024

This new kickoff rule in the NFL is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
— Harvey Specter (@pghjoker) August 2, 2024

First impression of new NFL kickoff rule after seeing it in game action: potential for a big return is negligible without some sort of exotic playcall. Opportunity for competitive advantage lies mostly with kicker/coverage team. Chance to impact field position for D.
— David Murphy (@ByDavidMurphy) August 2, 2024

People: Hey the NFL should adopt the XFL kickoff rule

People a year and a half later: this rule sucks
— Kendall Bossier (@kbocajr) August 2, 2024

Still the new kickoff is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen on an NFL field. Just move the kickoff back to the 25, touchback issue resolved.
— reacher (@ahawn77) August 2, 2024

The whining and crying on this app over the new NFL kickoff rule is short sighted and silly. Sure, it may not work and could be just a 1 year thing, but the NFL is trying to revive what was a DEAD play. It was useless. About 20% were ever returned. IMO the play is now live.
— Andy Sweeney (@TheOnlySweeney) August 2, 2024

What's up with the new NFL kickoff?
Why don't they just have them play while wearing skirts? pic.twitter.com/5khIurV9Is
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) August 2, 2024

Random thought... The NFL thought changing the kickoff rule would allow for more returns and less high speed collisions resulting in injuries. I guess one out of two ain't bad.
— Who Dey Lounge🍹🏈🍻 (@cincy2france) August 2, 2024

In 2023, roughly 77 percent of all kickoffs went for a touchback setting teams up at the 25. The majority of the drives on Thursday started in a similar spot with the best field position coming in the third quarter.

That was when John Jackson III ran it back 31 yards to the Chicago 32.

Perhaps there will be more excitement as the year continues but for now, the debut was far from thrilling.