Joe Buck asks ESPN viewers ‘did you get all this?’ as he struggles to explain the NFL’s new starting age 40 rule on live TV

The NFL is undergoing major rule changes for the 2024 season.

The NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday with the Hall of Fame Game, and fans got their first look at the new starting rule.

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The new initial rule makes sweeping changes to how teams exchange possession after scoring, but it can be confusing.

With the game being broadcast on ESPN, announcer Joe Buck broke the new rules for fans.

“There’s also a lot of excitement about the starting rule change, which is totally unlike anything any of us have ever seen in the NFL,” Buck said.

“Teams start at 35, the 10 players on the kicking team start at the opponent’s 40.

“At least nine players must be in the setup zone between 30 and 35.

“The game begins when the ball is touched or hits the ground in the end zone or landing zone, the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

“Touchbacks that land in the end zone are brought to 30, touchbacks that roll into the end zone from the landing zone are brought to 20.

“Did you understand all this?

“We’re going to hang in there tonight, but man, it’s going to be fun to see it happen.”

NFL fans were divided on the new rule and shared their thoughts on the change on social media.

“The problem is SPORTS IS GETTING SOFTTTTT,” said one fan.

“TBH I like this,” said another fan.

“Why do they need to add a landing zone? It seems pointless,” said a third fan.

“This is ridiculous!!” a fourth fan said.

“Good change,” said a fifth fan.

The NFL made another major rule change for the 2024 season, which was to ban hip-drop tackling.

One strategy defenders often employed to bring down runners was to lower their hips and use their weight to bring them down.

This tackle resulted in an above-average injury rate, causing the NFL to ban him.

The rest of the rulebook remains largely unchanged for the 2024 season.

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