sport news Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce rips 'absolutely stupid' new NFL kickoff rule ... trends now Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce rips 'absolutely stupid' new NFL kickoff rule on his podcast: 'It's not making the game safer… it's making it more boring!' The NFL thinks changing kickoff rules will increase safety among its players But the tweak has been poorly received by some, including Travis Kelce DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news By Jake Nisse For Dailymail.Com Published: 15:40 BST, 26 May 2023 | Updated: 15:40 BST, 26 May 2023 Viewcomments NFL owners approved a new kickoff rule this week in the name of player safety, but Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn't a fan. Under the new rule, a player can fair catch a kickoff anywhere within the 25-yard line for the ball to be placed on the 25-yard-line afterwards. This is a significant change from the previous rule, where only a fair catch/kneel of a ball kicked into the end zone would result in a drive starting on the 25. And Kelce, as well as his brother - Eagles offensive lineman Jason - think the move will further dissuade players from actually returning the ball. 'I don't think this is making the game safer,' Travis said on his 'New Heights' podcast. Travis Kelce, who won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs in February, is not a fan of the new rule 'I think it's making it more boring and taking a lot of excitement out of the game's opening play. This is wack.' 'We're just getting closer and closer to removing special teams,' Jason added. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, special teams coordinators 'unanimously' opposed the change. Nonetheless, the change will take effect for at least next season, with the NFL's executive vice president Jeff Miller telling reporters that the league expects concussions to drop to 15 percent. 'We can't stand by and do nothing,' he said. Miller also added that the league expects the percentage of kickoffs returned to fall to just 31 percent - raising the question of how worthwhile they are at this point. While Jason said that kickoffs will feel 'ceremonial,' Travis' coach Andy Reid also hit out against the rule. 'My thing is, where does it stop, right?,' he said to reporters this week. 'You don't want to take too many pieces away and you'll be playing flag football.' The Chiefs begin their season on September 7 vs. the Lions. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility