LOOK: Here's how NFL's new kickoff rule looks as Bears, Texans kick off preseason with 2024 Hall of Fame Game

We get our first in-game footage of the revamped play

Aug 1, 2024 at 8:16 pm ET • 1 min read

The NFL is back, and it's returned with a new wrinkle. Thursday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, pitting the Chicago Bears against the Houston Texans in 2024's preseason opener, marked the first in-game use of the league's revamped kickoff rules, which were enacted on a one-year trial basis this offseason.

Deemed the "Dynamic Kickoff," the new special teams play opened with Steven Sims as the return man, and Cairo Santos booting the opening kick. The first edition wasn't necessarily thrilling, with Sims netting just 21 yards on the run-back, but provided a clear look at the new alignment.

For the first time. the Dynamic Kickoff 🙌

Here's a quick refresher of the new kickoff rules:

The new Dynamic Kickoff rule is going into action tonight at the @ProFootballHOF Game.

Before you see it, get a full breakdown of the new play, the coaches who helped shape the rules and how it was integrated into #Madden25. @EAMaddenNFL pic.twitter.com/gkRXePPpN4

— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2024

The NFL instituted these rules for 2024 alone, with the possibility of making the change more permanent depending on this season's results. The changes were made in an effort to re-incentivize kick returns while increasing player safety by making the play resemble a typical play from scrimmage, with less high-speed contact.