The new NFL kickoff format made its official debut during the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. The format was made famous by the XFL, and is now being tested out for the 2024 season.

The gist of the new format has the kicking team’s kicker line up on their own 35-yard line, while 10 defenders line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Up to nine defenders on the kicking team then line up on their own 30- to 35-yard line.

The new format is meant to lessen injuries while also forcing teams to return more kickoffs.

The Hall of Fame game is exactly what its name indicates. The Class of 2024 attended the game and held interviews throughout the process before they were officially enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

One of the players being enshrined is arguably the greatest kick and punt returner the game has ever seen, Devin Hester. Hester spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Bears, where he secured 3,241 punt return yards, and 5,504 kick return yards.

Hester spoke on the new format and was seemingly not impressed by it.

When Hester was interviewed about the new kickoff format, he stated:

“I’m watching it, man. I’m surprised we are not seeing no big runs. You know, it’s shocking. But you know this is the first season, the first game. I feel a lot of coaches are going to evaluate this game and figure out what they can do to utilize and get some more big plays in there. Right now, it’s kinda shaky. But who knows? The first game. We’ll see.”

Hester is indicating that the new format is not where it needs to be yet, and that is understandable. All 32 teams are having to completely re-evaluate the way they handle kickoffs, and some teams have been speaking on drastic measures like using defenders in the kicking position.

With the shortened field, players might find a way to get past the grouped-up defenders and break off for a would-be touchdown. Should that happen, the last line of defense would be a kicker, and kickers aren’t often responsible for making tackles.

The Chiefs have stated they plan to use star safety Justin Reid in that role, though that has yet to happen.

With the new format being given a one-year tryout, the NFL could revisit the rule if it does not present the results the league is hoping for.