The NFL recently passed a new kickoff format at the annual league meetings in Orlando this week.

Key points of the new rules include new alignments for both the kickoff team and the receiving team. The kickoff will remain at the 35-yard-line with the kicker not being allowed to cross the 50. The other 10 players will start on the opposing team’s 40. They cannot move until the returner catches the ball. The majority of the receiving team will line up in between the 35 and 30-yard-lines. If the ball is received in the “landing zone” (in between the 20-yard-line and goal line), it must be returned. The new format is believed to be better for the league in terms of making the actual kickoff play more relevant but still safe.

Now, 29 of the league’s 32 teams voted in favor of the change, which is obviously why it passed. However, one of the three teams that didn’t vote yes was the Green Bay Packers.

This is what Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy had to say about why the Packers voted no even though they really like the idea:

“There’s gonna be some unintended consequences but…we’ll be very supportive of it and we have one of the better kick returners in the league, so we’ll put that to our advantage.”

Murphy added that Green Bay wanted the league to test out the new format in the preseason rather than in the regular season, per Wes Hodkiewicz. So, it’s more like the Packers voted yes. They just would’ve rather taken it out for a test run in less meaningful games.

Regardless, still look for them to have success in the return game despite the rule changes. They brought back two-time First-Team All-Pro return man and cornerback Keisean Nixon on a three-year deal. He has led the NFL in kick return yards each of the last two seasons. They also have one of the most experienced coaches in the league in special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. The Packers should be fine in any kick returning capacity with the pieces that they have.