NFL Makes Kickoff Rule Permanent With Return-Boosting Tweak

The NFL has made permanent its new kickoff rule, first experimented with in 2024, aimed at increasing kickoff returns and enhancing player safety. The key tweak for the 2025 season moves the touchback starting position from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, incentivizing teams to avoid touchbacks and promote more returns. This rule builds on the dynamic kickoff format, which reduced high-speed collisions by positioning coverage players and blockers closer together, resulting in a 43% drop in concussions and fewer lower-body injuries. The increased touchback penalty is expected to raise the kickoff return rate to between 60% and 70%, compared to 32.8% last season. Special teams coordinators, such as Detroit Lions' Dave Fipp and Las Vegas Raiders' Tom McMahon, have expressed strong support, noting the rule enhances the importance and value of special teams players. These changes, alongside modifications to overtime and replay rules, will be showcased starting with the 2025 preseason games.