When the NFL introduced its new kickoff rules, the modifications were supposed to be about fanfare and proven success. Instead, what’s transpired is a debate that has spilled onto the Oval Office. However, as Trump continues to be on the offensive, Kansas City Chiefs‘ special teams coordinator Dave Toub decided to change teams. For now, he’s strictly on defense with Harrison Butker caught in the crossfire.

“[Donald Trump] doesn’t even know what he’s looking at,” Toub said. “He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule,” Toub said. “Take that for what it’s worth. I hope he hears it.”

Notably, this comes barely a week after the President criticized the new rules for the second time this year.

“I hate the kickoff in football,” Trump said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I think it’s so terrible, so demeaning. I think it hurts the game, it hurts the pageantry. I’ve told that to Roger Goodell. I don’t think it’s any safer. You still have guys crashing into each other. It’s the opposite of what the game stands for. The ball is in the air, and nobody’s moving. It’s supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played, you’re supposed to be moving.”

Well, strictly speaking of the safety aspect, Trump might be on to something.

As per league data obtained by The Athletic, through seven weeks, the rate of concussions per 100 kickoffs increased from 0.09 last season to 1.18 in 2025, and from 0.29 to 1.48 for concussion rate per 100 kickoff returns. The data indicated that this is around five times the NFL’s baseline concussion rate on run or pass plays.

To put it in better numbers: Compared to one concussion through Week 7 last season, that number has increased to 13 in the same time period this season. Though the NFL’s executive vice president of public affairs and policy, player health and safety initiatives, Jeff Miller, informed last month that the injury rate on kickoffs is lower than expected, how do you explain an injury right in the opening game?

In Week 1 vs the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles’ fullback Ben VanSumeren suffered a torn patella tendon during the opening kickoff of the season and is not expected to return. In Week 9, the Washington Commanders’ wide receiver Luke McCaffrey broke his collarbone on a kickoff return. The very next week, the team’s linebacker Ale Kaho also suffered a concussion on a kickoff.

Furthermore, in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots’ Antonio Gibson suffered a torn ACL after he was hit during a kickoff return. He won’t return this season, either.

On the flip side, though, some aspects of the new kickoff rules have worked. Through seven weeks last season, 31.7 percent of kickoffs were returned. That number has now risen to 79.3 percent.

Yet, Trump didn’t shy away from criticizing the rule earlier this year, too.

“The NFL has to get rid of that ridiculous looking new Kickoff Rule,” he wrote on Truth Social. “How can they make such a big and sweeping change so easily and quickly. The ball is moving, and the players are not, the exact opposite of what football is all about. ‘S—y’ football is bad for America, and bad for the NFL! It’s like wanting to ‘roll back’ the golf ball so it doesn’t go (nearly!) as far. Fortunately, college football will remain the same, hopefully forever!!”

Surprisingly, Chiefs’ placekicker Harrison Butker also didn’t mince words.

“No one is happy with touchbacks,” the player reportedly said in July this year, as per A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman. “If I can place it in there, have good direction and hangtime on it, that’s kind of what my job is. Gotta really hit it in the landing zone.”

Now, with Toub’s comments going in exactly the opposite direction from his player, the latter has expectedly drawn the spotlight. In fact, fans have been having a field day discussing the matter.

Fans decide Harrison Butker’s fate after Dave Toub’s comments

Dave Toub’s jab at Trump instantly sent fans into overdrive, especially with Kansas City’s kicking issues still fresh. That’s why some people jumped straight into speculation mode, tossing around lines like “harrison butker has requested a trade” or “Butker out with a hammy all the sudden.”

Meanwhile, others used Toub’s pushback to reframe their view of the Chiefs’ special teams picture.

One fan even wrote, “All of a sudden I don’t want Dave Toub fired and I wonder how him and Butkers relationship is (you can still release Butker btw).”

And then there was one fan who used a WWE GIF to describe Butker and Toub. “Harrison Butker to Dave Toub on the 50 yard line this Sunday,” he wrote.

“Harrison Butker about to boycott the chiefs organization,” read another response.

Another pointed out how strangely the whole thing lined up, writing, “Ironically Dave Toub and I both feel the exact same way about Harrison Butker and Donald Trump as it pertains to the new kickoff rules…Weird that they aligned like that.”

And then, of course, came the most Tyreek Hill response imaginable, pure entertainment value. Watching Toub swing at Trump, Hill couldn’t help but drop, “F—ing animal I love it,” which pretty much summed up how players and a chunk of fans felt about a coach speaking that bluntly.

In the end, the whole moment became less about Trump’s critique and more about how Chiefs fans interpreted Toub’s tone. And what it might mean for Harrison Butker moving forward.