Is the onside kick really more dangerous than a standard kickoff? The players won’t have built up as much momentum in ten yards of running as they have in 40, would they, especially when at ten yards everyone’s trying to stop and grab the ball?
I feel like it's lazy and lame. Had they decided to replace the onsides kick with something, anything else ... then this would probably be fine. Like ...
"In the interest of player safety, the kickoff team can no longer recover the football until it has either been possessed by an opponent, touched an opponent after traveling 40 yards, or crossed the goal line. The kicking team may instead opt to take possession of the football, 4th and 25 at their own 35 yard line. The kicking team may also pick the ball up off the tee and attempt to rush, with the result of the play being either a touchdown or a turnover."
Just saying, "Nuh uh you can't do that," is stupid and extremely Goodell.