NFL’s kickoff rule change has teams scrambling to adapt with returns up 45%

Transcript

00:00A new rule in the NFL has changed one aspect of the game in a big way, at least after one week

00:06of play. Moving touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35 has meant a roughly 45% increase

00:13in kickoff returns compared to week one a year ago. The dynamic kickoff formation was implemented

00:21in 2024 on a one-year trial basis to improve player safety and help produce more returns.

00:27It has been successful on both counts. Concussions on kickoffs were down 43% from 2023, according

00:34to the NFL. There were also 332 more kickoff returns, which improved the return rate to

00:4133% overall. This summer, the league made the formation permanent and added another boost.

00:47With touchbacks now starting at the 35-yard line, teams were discouraged from kicking the

00:52ball into the end zone. Why? Well, over the past five years, teams scored touchdowns

00:5714% more often with that 5-yard boost to their starting field position. As such, the return

01:03rate in week one shot up to just over 70%, a 45% increase from week one a year ago. There

01:11were no touchdowns in week one, but it seems only a matter of time before that happens.

01:15The Tennessee Titans came close against the Denver Broncos. A 71-yard return by rookie

01:21Chimer Dike set up a field goal. More possible returns mean more adjustments by coaches and

01:26players, especially for rookies coming from the college ranks, where the new formations are

01:31not used. Those younger players often play a big role on special teams. Seahawks special

01:36teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh said during training camp that those players need a few weeks to get

01:41adjusted to the new rules and set up. It takes a while to realize what that norm is of, okay, the ball

01:50that's caught here, this is where it's going to end up. This is where, you know, it's going to affect

01:54the decisions I'm making as a blocker or as a cover guy, things like that. It's a little abstract, but

02:00it's just, yeah, you weren't used to it. So I think everyone, players, coaches getting a feel for

02:06for the timing, the angles, and the spacing. A potential increase in injuries is something to

02:12watch should the kickoff return rate stay up between 60 and 70 percent. The Eagles and Cowboys

02:17had a long stoppage in the season opener after linebacker and special teams ace Ben Van Someren

02:23suffered a knee injury on the opening kickoff. He will miss the season. For now, though, it seems

02:28there's a real reason to have a top-notch return man on the roster and place more of an emphasis on

02:33coaching and playing better special teams. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis.