Buffalo Rumblinks, 3/30: Making sense of the NFL’s rule changes

Plus, hear why Sean McDermott says moving on from CB Tre’Davious White was “tragic in some ways.”

The most recent Super Bowl didn’t feature a kickoff return. It was a trend that permeated throughout the league, as last year featured the lowest kickoff return rate in the history of the NFL.

Well, starting with the 2024 NFL season, kickoffs will look vastly different for the Buffalo Bills and the other NFL teams, as the NFL’s owners voted to approve a hybrid kickoff for the upcoming season.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks recaps the NFL’s new kickoff policy and the other rules changes that will go into effect this year.

Recapping the new rules changes

During the NFL’s annual owners meeting, several new changes were approved by the league’s owners, including adopting the hybrid kickoff policy, punishing defensive players for hip-drop tackles, pushing back the league’s trade deadline, and rewarding coaches who win one of their first two challenges with a third challenge.

• NFL approves kickoff rule change in hopes of balancing excitement and safety – Buffalo News
• New NFL kickoff rules adopted for 2024: What to know about the radically different format – Democrat & Chronicle
• NFL announces new kickoff rules for 2024 season – WGR 550
• What the Bills are saying about the new kickoff format + other rule changes for the 2024 NFL season – BuffaloBills.com
• Making sense of NFL’s new kickoff rule and what it means for next season – The Athletic (subscription required)
• NFL owners approve significant changes to kickoff rules, move trade deadline to Week 9 – The Athletic (subscription required)
• Bills notebook: Buffalo’s injury report resolution passes; Goodell considered exempt list for Miller – Buffalo News
• Five things learned about Bills from NFL league meetings – WGR 550

CB Tre’Davious White reportedly signing with Rams

The Bills moving on from Pro Bowl cornerback Tre’Davious White was “tragic in some ways,” according to Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. Reportedly, White, who was released by the Bills earlier this month, is signing with the Los Angeles Rams.

• Former Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White heading to Los Angeles Rams – Buffalo News
• Sources: Tre’Davious White intends to sign with Rams – ESPN
• Bills’ Sean McDermott opens up about ‘tragic’ end to Tre’Davious White’s career in Buffalo – newyorkupstate.com
• Sean McDermott: Bills moving on from Tre’Davious White ‘tragic in some ways’ – Buffalo News
• McDermott: White one of best defensive backs ever in Buffalo – WGR 550
• ‘You don’t replace people like that.’ McDermott reflects on release of key Bills players – Democrat & Chronicle

Bills add DTs Austin Johnson, DeShawn Williams

The Buffalo Bills brought in some depth pieces to the interior of their defensive line this week, officially signing defensive tackles Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams on one-year deals. The Bills were low on numbers at defensive tackle coming into the offseason, but Williams and Johnson should provide some valuable depth for Sean McDermott’s defense.

• Bills add pair of defensive tackles with Austin Johnson, DeShawn Williams – Buffalo News
• Bills sign DeShawn Williams to one-year deal – WGR 550
• New Buffalo Bills DT loaded Amazon and UPS trucks before getting back into league (4 things to know) – newyorkupstate.com
• Bills sign DT DeShawn Williams to one-year deal – BuffaloBills.com
• Bills sign DT Austin Johnson to one-year deal – BuffaloBills.com
• Report: Bills signing defensive lineman Austin Johnson – WGR 550
• DL Austin Johnson agrees to one-year deal with Bills – NBC Sports

Even more Bills News

How head coach Sean McDermott still hasn’t decided on who will be calling the plays on defense this year, speculation on who should serve as Buffalo’s captains, plus learn how Buffalo’s athletic training staff and equipment staff were honored during the NFL’s annual meeting, and more!

• Bills notebook: Sean McDermott still undecided on defensive play caller – Buffalo News
• McDermott still won’t name defensive play-caller yet – WGR 550
• Ryan O’Halloran: After changes, these five Bills should be captains – Buffalo News
• Buffalo Bills athletic training staff and equipment staff recognized in Orlando – BuffaloBills.com
• NFL Power Rankings post-free agency: The Texans are going for it, the Cowboys are … not – The Athletic (subscription required)

Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings

• NFL adopts new kickoff rule for one-year trial – Buffalo Rumblings
• DT DeShawn Williams signs one-year deal with Buffalo Bills – Buffalo Rumblings
• The NFL bans the hip-drop tackle: A deep dive, and some thoughts – Buffalo Rumblings
• Former Bills CB Tre’Davious White signing with the LA Rams, per report – Buffalo Rumblings
• Buffalo Bills athletic training staff and equipment staff voted best in the NFL – Buffalo Rumblings