The story of the NFL’s preseason has been the debut of a new kickoff formation taken from the last edition of the XFL. The dynamic kickoff aims to bring excitement back to a moment that has become lethargic in modern football.

While teams have prioritized touchbacks over risking game-changing returns for years, putting the ball into the end zone will now result in opposing offenses beginning at the 30-yard line.On Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman — among the league’s more accomplished return men — offered his thoughts on the rule.

The problem is that he hasn’t actually been able to return a kickoff under the new guidelines.

“I don’t know yet,” said Hardman. “I haven’t gotten a chance to return one yet, but I think it’s going to get more opportunities and be more exciting because, obviously, every chance is going to be a return unless teams decide they want that team start from the 30.

“As far as now I’m concerned, I’ve seen like the XFL stuff, and it’s pretty exciting. It’s more excitement. I’m still on the fence about it, so, we’re going to see.”

Hardman’s most notable experience with the new rule ended in disaster in the Chiefs’ first preseason matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the veteran wideout took a ball from the field of play and kneeled in the end zone, believing he would be awarded a touchback. Shockingly, the action was ruled a safety for Jacksonville.

According to Hardman, he had received conflicting advice on approaching the moment, but now has no doubt on what must be done.

“As far I’m concerned right now,” he admitted, “you have to return it — but it’s crazy because I asked that question. I asked if it hits in the end zone to come back to the field of play and I down it, what’s the result? They were like, ‘Well based off where your feet are, basically.’ It’s where your feet are.

“They know what they said at first, but clearly, New York had a different meaning of it. So, that’s what the confusion was about. One of the first preseason game, when I downed it, I thought where my feet were, it would be a touchback. Clearly, you can’t bring it from the field play to the end zone, no matter what.

“So I was like, ‘Well, if I was giving myself up, should it be down to one?’ There were a lot of things going on. I was talking, but clearly you have to return it now.”

Working with Worthy

The Chiefs drafted the speedy Hardman in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Five years later, a new speedster is being worked in: first-round selection Xavier Worthy, who now holds the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time.

Hardman is impressed with what he has seen from the former Texas Longhorn.

“Xavier, he’s coming in, and he’s doing really well,” observed Hardman. “He’ll bring that speed, definitely. [It’s] going to be a learning curve, for sure, when the regular season gets here. Stuff like that — every rookie goes through it. As far as right now, he’s doing really well. Coaches love him. We like what he’s bringing out there, so he’s going to be good.”

As a former high-profile pick, Hardman knows what is in store for Worthy when the regular season starts on September 5 against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I think when you hit the preseason,” he explained, “it kind of gives you like a college feel in a sense. You feel like you’re good, but then when you have the regular season hit, that speed changes. The scheme [and] the atmosphere — it all changes. It’s kind of like — I won’t say a shock — but it’s one of those like, ‘Whoa, OK, this is real. It’s that time.’ I think that’s the learning curve that you hit.”

Hardman’s ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment

Hardman still recalls the moment in his first career game against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he realized the reality of the NFL — when a major injury to then-Chief Tyreek Hill forced him into extended action against star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

“[Ramsey] probably doesn’t remember this,” Hardman recalled, “but I think I had like a go route or something, and he was just on me. He was like, ‘Man, you ain’t getting nothing today, bro.’

“I’m like, ‘What you mean?’

“That whole game — the whole time — he was just talking. I was like, ‘I can’t do nothing, bro.’ I think he jammed me one time. I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s different.’”

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After the Chiefs’ final exhibition against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, roster cuts loom. Now in his sixth season, Hardman knows the talent around him is significant — and the Chiefs may need to decide how much they value his veteran presence over younger talent.

He explained a different perspective as he enters a new stage of his career.

“it’s kind of different role,” he stated of his place with the team. “[A] different type coming into a team that’s now is already established with the guys that they already have.

“So me, [I’m] just trying to find a way, make my own, trying to find a role within myself and within a team. I just go out there and just capitalize and take advantage of every opportunity that I have and just go from there — and whatever happens, happens.

“So I’m definitely a little bit different, but it’s still the same thing as far as like the play wise and how I play and everything like that.”