Coaches Sound Off: Are NFL Special Teams Players United Against New Kickoff Rules?

The NFL’s kickoff is undergoing a revolution, and the echoes of change are reverberating across locker rooms and coaching offices. After Week 1 of the 2025 season, a historic 75.6% of kickoffs were returned, a rate unseen in 15 years [1]. This dramatic shift is thanks to the NFL’s latest attempt to revitalize the kickoff, primarily by moving touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line [10]. But as special teams coordinators huddle to devise new strategies, a crucial question emerges: Are NFL special teams players united in their response to these changes?

The Rule Changes: A Quick Recap

To understand the current climate, it’s essential to grasp the new rules. The core change involves field position: touchbacks now place the ball at the 35-yard line, incentivizing teams to kick short of the end zone and encouraging returns [4]. This adjustment follows the “dynamic kickoff” formation introduced in 2024, which aimed to increase player safety by reducing high-speed collisions [10, 11]. Under this setup, 10 kicking team players line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, unable to move until the ball touches the ground or a player [6, 11]. The receiving team positions at least nine players in a setup zone between their 30 and 35-yard lines [6, 11].

Coaches Weigh In: A Mix of Excitement and Uncertainty

The coaching perspective is far from monolithic. Some embrace the changes, while others express reservations.

The Optimists: Coaches like Tom McMahon of the Las Vegas Raiders are enthusiastic. McMahon believes the new rules will make kickoffs a relevant play again, increasing the value of special teams players and returners [12]. He anticipates players accumulating significantly more tackles and return opportunities [12]. Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the return of “big-play opportunities” to special teams [7]. He sees it as a positive change for fans and a better fit for professional football [7]. Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub is also on board, noting that the increased touchback yardage will force teams to aim for the target zone, leading to more returns and more relevant plays [15].
The Cautious: Other coaches, while acknowledging the intent behind the changes, express concerns. Rams head coach Sean McVay admitted the new kickoff feels “weird” and unlike anything he’s been familiar with [6]. Some coaches worry about kickers being asked to intentionally mishit the ball to avoid touchbacks, potentially leading to inconsistent performance and injuries [3].

Player Perspectives: Opportunity and Risk

For special teams players, the new kickoff rules present both opportunities and challenges.

Return Specialists: Returners stand to gain significantly. With increased return opportunities, their value skyrockets. As Raiders coach Tom McMahon pointed out, a kick returner could get more touches than anyone other than the halfbacks [12]. Players like Tennessee Titans rookie Chimere Dike, who had a 71-yard return in Week 1, are embracing the chance to prove their worth [10]. New England Patriots kick returner Jalen Reagor sees the new formation as advantageous for returners, with fewer defenders to evade [8].
Coverage Players: The changes demand greater versatility from coverage players. With the emphasis shifting from pure speed to tackling and blocking in tight spaces, players need to be more well-rounded [11, 14]. The increased number of returns also means a higher likelihood of collisions and potential injuries. Ben Van Summeran, an Eagles linebacker and special teams ace, suffered a knee injury on the opening kickoff of the season, highlighting this risk [20].

Safety Concerns: A Lingering Issue

The primary driver behind the kickoff rule changes is player safety. The NFL’s goal is to reduce high-speed collisions and concussions [4, 9]. While the “dynamic kickoff” formation led to a 43% decrease in concussions in 2024 [10], the increased return rate in 2025 raises concerns about a potential uptick in other types of injuries [20]. The league will need to monitor injury data closely to assess the long-term impact of the new rules on player safety.

The Bottom Line: Unity in Adaptation

While opinions on the new kickoff rules vary among coaches and players, one thing is clear: NFL special teams are adapting. Coaches are devising new strategies, players are honing their skills, and teams are reevaluating roster construction [5, 16]. Whether these changes ultimately achieve their intended goals of increased safety and excitement remains to be seen. However, the initial returns suggest a more dynamic and relevant role for special teams in the modern NFL.