Chicago's Matt Eberflus and Houston's DeMeco Ryans were the first two NFL head coaches to witness their teams in action with the league's new kickoff rule during the Bears-Texans matchup in the Hall of Fame Game. The game provided the first live-action look at the radical rule change and shed some light on the challenges coaches are facing in terms of developing effective strategies.

Eberflus noted that the Bears experimented with various techniques on both returns and coverage during the game and revealed that the team will continue to refine their approach throughout the preseason. He emphasized the need to understand and adapt to the new rule, stating, "You have to figure it out, like, 'Hey, what is it going to look like?'" Eberflus added that all coaches are currently in the process of determining the best course of action and that adjustments will be ongoing throughout the entire season. His sentiments reflect the collective effort among NFL coaches to navigate and optimize the new kickoff rule.

Despite only having the Hall of Fame Game as a sample size, some observations can be drawn from the inaugural implementation of the new rule. Notably, all but one kickoff was returned in the game – a substantial departure from the previous season wherein most kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. However, the returns failed to produce much excitement, with the longest return being a modest 31 yards. Furthermore, the average starting field position for teams remained consistent at the 25-yard line, comparable to touchbacks from the previous year.

As coaches diligently work to design kick returns that can yield significant gains and game-changing plays, the lack of explosive returns witnessed during the kickoff rule's debut highlights the challenges they currently face. Thursday night's game failed to showcase any standout moments on kickoffs, leaving coaches with more work to do in order to develop successful strategies that can take advantage of the new rule.

The NFL's new kickoff rule represents a significant change in the dynamics of the game, and it is evident that teams are still in the early stages of adapting their approaches accordingly. With the day-to-day development and adjustment, it remains to be seen how coaches will tackle the task of maximizing returns while adhering to the rule's nuances.

As the preseason marches on and regular season approaches, time will tell whether NFL coaches can unlock the full potential of the new kickoff rule and breathe new life into the game's most electrifying play.