After four weeks of the NFL regular season, only one kickoff has resulted in a touchdown under the league's new kickoff rules. DeeJay Dallas, playing for Arizona, returned one 96 yards for a score in the Cardinals' season opener. NFL kick returners are projected to score 4.25 touchdowns this season, slightly better than the four touchdowns scored on kickoff returns last year. However, it's still early in the season, and judging the impact of the new rules solely by touchdowns misses the broader picture.
The NFL revised kickoff rules to encourage more returns and moved the coverage teams 25 yards upfield to reduce high-speed collisions that have led to numerous injuries. As planned, teams are returning more kickoffs. Through the first four weeks, NFL teams have returned 187 of 642 kickoffs, or 29.1%, compared to 21.7% last year. Despite kickoffs still being made from the 35-yard line, there have been 437 touchbacks, or 68.1%, an improvement over last season's 73% touchback rate. With colder weather approaching, the touchback percentage is expected to decrease.
Michael Clay, the Philadelphia Eagles' special teams coach, noted that teams are still kicking out of the end zone frequently. He also mentioned that teams haven't shown all their strategies yet, indicating a continuous cat-and-mouse game. Essentially, all kickoffs in the 'landing zone' must be returned, and coverage team players can't move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone.
After a kickoff sails into the end zone and isn't returned, the ball is placed at the 30-yard line, five yards upfield from last year. If a kickoff hits in the landing zone and rolls into the end zone for a touchback, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. Other exciting ways to score include long runs, punts, interceptions, and fumble returns. The NFL aims to see more kickoffs returned, especially on the opening kickoff of a game, reducing the likelihood of a touchback.
The kickoff formations look unusual, with the kicker far from teammates, and the kicker often acting as the last line of defense. Teams trailing in the fourth quarter must declare onside kicks, but this is less significant as everyone anticipates it. The goal is to put the ball in play with minimal injury risk. Between 2022 and 2023, kickoff returns dropped from 1,087 to 511, return yards from 23,105 to 13,530, and touchdowns from six to four. The average kick return this year is 26 yards, compared to 21.8 yards in 2023.
Some teams return more kickoffs than others. Raheem Blackshear of the Carolina Panthers and Eric Gray of the New York Giants have the most returns, while the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have returned only one each. Long kickoff returns haven't become common yet. DeeJay Dallas's 96-yard return is one of only four returns longer than 50 yards. DeAndre Carter of Chicago leads the NFL with a 34-yard average on five kickoff returns.
Michael Ghobrial, the Giants' special teams coordinator, noted that the consequences of kicking a touchback are unclear and that they will adapt their strategy as the season progresses. Running backs like Eric Gray and DeeJay Dallas are often used as returners due to their ball-handling skills and vision. However, everything is subject to change, and the odds of a player scoring multiple touchdowns on kick returns are better than last year.
