Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is speaking out against a new rule that the NFL has passed for the 2023 season. On Tuesday, team owners voted on a rule that will alter the strategy of return specialists attempting to return a kickoff on a short kick. For 2023, at least, players who call for a fair catch within the 25-yard line will see the ball placed at the 25-yard line as if it were a touchback.
This new rule has been maligned by media members such as Pat McAfee and now we have a top-flight special teams player speaking out against it. This is a rule that does not seem very popular among players or coaches thus far and it will be interesting to see if it’s around for more than one year.
