Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs

As the NFL implemented a significant kickoff rule change ahead of the 2024 season—aimed at reducing injuries and increasing return rates—Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub has emerged as one of the most vocal voices weighing in on the impact of the new regulation. Toub, a 20-year NFL veteran and one of the league’s most respected special teams minds, has spent decades refining kickoff strategies, and his insights carry weight not just for the Chiefs but for the league as a whole. The new rule, which limits running starts for kickoff coverage teams and requires more players to line up in a “buffer zone” before the snap, marks a major shift in how teams approach one of football’s most high-impact plays. Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down Toub’s thoughts on the rule, its challenges and opportunities for the Chiefs, and how it’s reshaping special teams preparation in Kansas City.

Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the specifics of the new rule and Toub’s initial reaction. The 2024 NFL kickoff rule mandates that all coverage team players (except the kicker) line up within 15 yards of the kickoff spot before the snap, eliminating the traditional 25-yard running start that has been a staple of kickoff coverage for decades. Additionally, at least eight coverage players must be in a “set position” (not moving) for one full second before the kick, and no player can cross the kickoff line until the ball is kicked. Toub, who has built his career on aggressive coverage schemes, acknowledged the rule’s intent to improve safety but noted its immediate impact on strategy. “The NFL’s goal here is clear—reduce high-speed collisions that lead to concussions,” Toub said during a training camp press conference. “I support player safety, but this rule changes everything about how we approach kickoff coverage. We can’t rely on the same speed and momentum we’ve used for years; we have to completely reimagine our approach.” He added that the rule will likely increase return rates (which dropped to a 10-year low in 2023) but could also create new vulnerabilities for coverage teams that aren’t prepared.

To understand Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs in practice, it’s essential to look at how the Chiefs are adjusting their special teams units. Under the old rule, the Chiefs relied on a “speed-based” coverage scheme, using fast linebackers and defensive backs (like special teams ace Jack Cochrane) to sprint downfield and tackle returners before they gained momentum. With the new rule eliminating running starts, Toub has shifted to a “power-based” approach, adding larger linemen (like defensive tackle Mike Pennel) to the coverage unit to create a physical barrier at the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs have also spent extra time in practice on “gap discipline” drills, teaching players to hold their positions and prevent returners from finding holes. Toub has been particularly focused on the kicker’s role, working with Harrison Butker to vary kickoff angles—aiming for the sidelines to limit return options rather than kicking deep down the middle. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but we are trying to adapt,” Toub explained. “The key now is precision, not speed. We need every player to know their assignment, hold their gap, and make tackles in space—skills we’ve been drilling since day one of training camp.”

Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs also includes Toub’s perspective on how the rule affects the Chiefs’ return game—a unit that has been a strength in recent years. The Chiefs’ primary returner, Mecole Hardman Jr., averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return in 2023, and Toub believes the new rule could make him even more effective. “With less speed coming at him, Mecole has more time to read the coverage and find a lane,” Toub said. “He’s one of the fastest players in the league, and this rule gives him a chance to use that speed to break longer returns.” To capitalize on this opportunity, Toub has adjusted the return unit’s blocking scheme, adding more tight ends (like Blake Bell) to create larger running lanes and working with Hardman on “patient returning”—waiting for blocks to develop instead of immediately cutting upfield. For the Kansas City Chiefs, a stronger return game could provide better field position for Patrick Mahomes and the offense, potentially leading to more points. “Special teams is all about field position,” Toub said. “If this rule helps us get better starting field position on offense, that’s a win—even if it makes our coverage job harder.”

Another layer of Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs is Toub’s concern about unintended consequences—specifically, an increase in “onside kick” attempts. With the new rule making it harder for coverage teams to stop returns, Toub predicts that more teams will attempt onside kicks early in games (not just in the final minutes) to regain possession. The Chiefs have prepared for this by adding more receivers and running backs to their kickoff return unit—players with good hands who can recover onside kicks—and practicing onside kick scenarios in every practice. Toub has also been working with Butker to practice “onside kick disguise,” teaching him to make onside kicks look like regular kickoffs to catch teams off guard. “We have to be ready for anything,” Toub said. “If teams start trying more onside kicks, we need to be the team that shuts that down. That means practicing recovery drills, staying alert, and having players who can make plays when the ball is in the air.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, being prepared for onside kicks could be the difference between winning and losing close games—especially in the playoffs, where every possession matters.

The final dimension of Dave Toub Comments on Kickoff Rule for the Kansas City Chiefs is Toub’s long-term view on how the rule might evolve. While he supports the NFL’s focus on safety, Toub believes the league may need to tweak the rule in 2025 based on 2024 data—specifically, if return rates become too high or if new injury patterns emerge. He has also urged the NFL to gather feedback from special teams coordinators throughout the season, rather than waiting until the offseason. “This is a big change, and we need to be flexible,” Toub said. “If we see that the rule is leading to more injuries in other areas—like linemen colliding at the line of scrimmage—we need to adjust. The goal should be to make the game safer and keep it exciting, and I think we can do both with the right tweaks.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Toub’s proactive approach ensures that the team will be ready for any rule changes, now or in the future. As the Chiefs head into the 2024 season, their special teams unit—under Toub’s guidance—will be a key factor in their quest for another Super Bowl title. “We don’t let rules define us; we adapt to them,” Toub said. “This team has the talent, the work ethic, and the focus to succeed—no matter what the NFL throws at us.”