Harrison Butker pushes NFL for bonus point on kickoffs after Chiefs reshape league rules again

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has emerged as a vocal proponent for further changes in NFL kickoff rules, following the league’s major overhaul in 2024. The NFL adopted a radical kickoff format inspired by the XFL to reduce injuries and reinvigorate a play long seen as risky and unpredictable. Butker’s precision kicking and the strategic approach of Chiefs special-teams coach Dave Toub enabled Kansas City to thrive under these new conditions.

Since the rule’s implementation, Butker has not only adapted but also begun to push for additional innovations. On a recent episode of the LOOPcast podcast, Butker entertained a proposal from co-host Tom Pogasic suggesting that a kickoff sent through the uprights from the end zone should earn the kicking team a bonus point. Butker responded enthusiastically, saying,

“Definitely. Yeah. They need to change that.”

—Harrison Butker, Kicker

He argued that expanding the role of kickers and punters could increase their value in the game, adding,

“Anything that we can do to make the game more focused on special teams, kickers, punters—that only makes our value go up. So I’m all for that.”

—Harrison Butker, Kicker

Despite some light sarcasm about the possibility of extending player careers with rule changes, Butker’s appeal reflects a serious attempt to highlight the importance of kickers as football continues to emphasize offensive skill positions like quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Chiefs’ tactical use of new NFL kickoff rules demonstrated impact beyond special teams

The Kansas City Chiefs were quick to embrace the 2024 kickoff rule modifications, leveraging Butker’s skill set to give their team a strategic edge. As the Chiefs refined their approach, using low, precise kicks to force opponents deep in their territory, head coach Dave Toub confidently named Butker as their primary kickoff player. He stated at training camp,

“Butker’s gonna be our main kickoff guy, I mean, hands down. Because he can move the ball and do a lot of different things, he’s our most talented kickoff guy.”

—Dave Toub, Chiefs Special-Teams Coach

This approach not only enhanced game safety but also shifted special teams into a more strategic component of play, where field position could dictate momentum.

Butker’s role extended beyond mere execution—he became a catalyst for evolving NFL rules and game tactics, sparking interest among fans and analysts alike about the possible next steps for the league’s kickoff regulations.

Chiefs’ influence sparks wider NFL rule innovations fueled by pivotal game moments

The Chiefs’ influence on NFL regulations extends well beyond kickoffs. Their January 2025 AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills became a defining moment when Kansas City’s defense halted a crucial fourth-and-inches play by quarterback Josh Allen. The controversial call prompted widespread debate and NFL scrutiny.

As a direct consequence, the league announced that Hawk-Eye technology—already used in soccer and tennis—would replace traditional chains for measuring first downs in the 2025 season. This technological shift aims to provide more accurate, efficient measurement of critical plays.

The NFL’s statement explained,

“Hawk-Eye technology for measuring the line to gain is slated to replace chains as the primary measurement system for regular-season games in 2025.”

—NFL Official Statement

This adoption of Hawk-Eye technology follows the league’s prior decision to modify overtime rules, a change influenced by the Chiefs’ dramatic playoff games against the Bills in 2021. The team’s ability to impact the league’s structure through on-field events has been notable over just a few seasons.

Future of kickers in NFL: Raising the value and longevity of specialists

Butker’s public call for a new scoring opportunity on kickoffs could be the next step in the NFL’s ongoing rule evolution. His suggestion to award one point for a kickoff through the uprights would transform how special teams contribute, possibly increasing the strategic importance of kickers.

His lighthearted suggestion on the LOOPcast about penalizing anyone who hits a kicker with jail time underscores both his seriousness and the physical risks kickers face. He remarked in a deadpan manner,

“Okay, I’ll take that.”

—Harrison Butker, Kicker

If such a rule were adopted, it could offer kickers new scoring roles while protecting them physically, potentially extending their careers further. This idea aligns with the NFL’s broader trend to diversify scoring and emphasize player safety, potentially allowing specialists to have longer, more impactful tenures.

Chiefs continue to reshape NFL culture through strategic innovation and rule advocacy

The Kansas City Chiefs remain a team at the forefront of both strategic play and rule change influence in the NFL. Their successful adaptation to the 2024 kickoff reform, pivotal plays prompting new measurement technology, and involvement in altering overtime procedures together summarize their outsized impact on the modern game.

Given this pattern, it seems plausible that Butker’s proposed kickoff bonus point might gain official consideration. The NFL’s history of reacting to key Chiefs moments suggests the league is open to revisiting rules that favor innovation and player specialization.

As the NFL prepares for the 2025 season, the league’s embrace of technology and discussion about expanding scoring for kickers indicate a shift toward more balanced attention across all positions. Harrison Butker’s role in this transformation exemplifies the growing recognition of special teams’ critical contributions within the sport.