How the NFL aims to return excitement to kickoffs

The NFL rolled out major rule changes to kickoffs this offseason in the hopes of boosting return percentage while mitigating injury risk. Results from the preseason's first two weeks show a dramatic increase in kickoff returns, and time will tell if those numbers carry into the regular season.

The preseason's kickoff return rate is about 78%, which is more than three times the rate of the 2023 regular season (22%), according to league officials who spoke during a media briefing this week on health and safety issues. Additionally, 19% of preseason kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks, compared to 73% last season.

"We've seen a lot more kicks returned," NFL executive vice president of player health Jeff Miller said. "We've seen some more dynamic kicks - meaning big plays - and we've seen a greater distribution on where drives are starting."

Kickers mostly train to boot the football as far as possible. But under the NFL's new regulations, kickoffs that land short of the 20 or out of bounds give the receiving team the ball at its own 40-yard line. Ahead of the final weekend of preseason games, the average starting field position following kickoffs was the 28.3-yard line, an increase from the 25.2-yard line average in 2023. (Touchbacks are placed at the 25-yard line.)

"You've got to get the old mentality out of your heads," Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi told reporters in early August. "(It's about) location, location, location. The No. 1 aspect is going to be where that kickoff lands."

NFL owners approved the new kickoff format for one season in a March vote. Although the league is yet to provide any updated kickoff injury data, the new rules are expected to significantly reduce high-speed collisions.

"Obviously, (injury) sample size really matters," NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said this week. "Nothing has jumped out so far. There haven't been any unusual findings in the first two weeks in terms of injury rates or types of injury. But obviously that's something that we'll continue to track closely."

Kickoffs are still taken from the 35-yard line, but the kicker's 10 teammates now line up at the opposing 40. The return team lines up at least nine blockers in the "set-up zone" between the 30- and 35-yard line. Only the kicker and two designated returners can move before the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Kick coverage players no longer sprint 40-50 yards before they meet defenders.

The new rule, which was used by the XFL, has caused a few hiccups.

During Kansas City's preseason opener against Jacksonville on Aug. 10, Chiefs returners Mecole Hardman and Deneric Prince allowed a Jaguars' kickoff to sail over their heads and into the end zone, with the duo likely thinking it would have resulted in a touchback. But under the new rules, a kickoff that lands in the end zone is now a live ball. After the football landed in the end zone and bounced back out to the 1-yard line, Hardman then retreated to the end zone, grabbed the football, and kneeled down.

Officials initially ruled the play a touchback, but replay review reversed the call and it was ruled a safety.

"I think that's a good coaching point, for all teams, to coach our returners," Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters last week. "It's really a good teaching moment for everybody … and it's just a great way to learn that rule and to learn the game of football."

The NFL ultimately hopes the rule will return some excitement on special teams and increase the number of returns without making the play more dangerous. A few explosive preseason returns have been headlined by Jacksonville's Parker Washington's 73-yard return and Tennessee's Kearis Jackson's 63-yard return.

There were only four kickoff return touchdowns last season, the lowest mark since 1993. The last time there were more than 10 kickoff return TDs in a season was 2012.

As the league hopes for more returns and excitement, it's plausible that teams use offensive stars on kickoff returns in the regular season. The preseason is considered experimentation for most coaches, and that's been especially true this summer. While teams are continuing to adapt, multiple special teams coordinators have said throughout training camp that kickoff personnel could change on a week-to-week basis.

League officials also haven't ruled out further kickoff evolution.

"It's a one-year rule change, so we anticipate evaluating this throughout the season," NFL chief football administrative officer Dawn Aponte said. "As things progress through the preseason, it's very possible that we'll see some changes as we head into the regular season.

"Our objective is always to have the rule in place as we head into the season. I never say never … but that's the objective. We'll continue to evaluate it throughout the season. Anything that needs clarification, I think will come out as need be."

Josh Tolentino is theScore's Lead NFL reporter