Special Teams Renaissance: Why NFL Teams Are Finally Prioritizing Special Teams in 2025 and How It Will Impact Games
In Super Bowl LIX, a blocked punt early in the second quarter shifted the momentum, ultimately leading to the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This wasn’t just a lucky play; it was a culmination of a growing trend in the NFL: the Special Teams Renaissance. After years of being an afterthought, special teams are finally getting the attention they deserve, and it’s poised to change the game in 2025 and beyond.
The Evolution of Special Teams Philosophy
For decades, special teams were viewed as a necessary evil – a collection of backups and rookies filling roles between offensive and defensive snaps. Coaches often delegated special teams duties to lower-level assistants, focusing their energy on the “more important” aspects of the game. However, a shift in thinking has begun, driven by data analytics and a growing understanding of the impact special teams can have on field position, momentum, and ultimately, wins.
The Analytics Revolution
The rise of analytics has played a crucial role in the special teams renaissance. Teams are now using data to evaluate special teams performance with the same rigor they apply to offense and defense. Metrics like Expected Points Added (EPA) on punts and kickoffs, field goal percentage from various distances, and opponent return yardage are providing a clearer picture of which special teams units are truly effective.
A study by The 33rd Team revealed that punt performance, in particular, is highly correlated with team success. The difference between the top and bottom punt units in the league can amount to over a touchdown per game in terms of EPA. This kind of data is forcing teams to recognize the hidden value in special teams and invest accordingly.
Coaching Matters: The Rise of the Special Teams Coordinator
As the importance of special teams becomes more apparent, teams are starting to prioritize the special teams coordinator position. No longer a stepping stone for young coaches, the role is now attracting experienced and innovative minds. Chris Tabor, with prior stints in Chicago, Cleveland, and Carolina, was recently hired by the Buffalo Bills as their new special teams coordinator, signaling the Bills’ commitment to improving this critical area.
These dedicated coaches are bringing new strategies and techniques to special teams, focusing on player development, scheme design, and in-game adjustments. Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi played a key role in creating the dynamic kickoff rule, showcasing the innovative thinking that is now being applied to special teams.
The Dynamic Kickoff: A New Era of Returns
The NFL’s new dynamic kickoff rule, first implemented in 2024, has been a major catalyst for the special teams renaissance. Designed to increase kickoff returns while also improving player safety, the rule has led to a significant increase in return rates. According to the NFL, kickoff returns improved from 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024.
In 2025, the league is taking the rule a step further by moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line. This change is intended to incentivize teams to kick the ball into the landing zone, forcing more returns and creating more opportunities for game-changing plays. As Denver Broncos special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Darren Rizzi said, “We’re going to bring more excitement back.”
Player Prioritization: Investing in Specialists and Core Teamers
The special teams renaissance is also impacting player personnel decisions. Teams are now more willing to invest in high-quality specialists, recognizing the long-term value of a reliable kicker, punter, and long snapper. The Kansas City Chiefs, who have consistently invested in top-tier kicking talent, demonstrate the potential long-term benefits of such an approach.
Beyond the specialists, teams are also placing a greater emphasis on identifying and developing core special teamers – players who excel in coverage, blocking, and tackling on kickoffs and punts. These players are no longer just roster fillers; they are valuable contributors who can make a significant impact on the game. As Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell noted, special teams are often made up of the back half of the roster, making player development crucial.
The Impact on Game Strategy
The special teams renaissance is not just about individual plays; it’s about overall game strategy. A well-executed fake punt can swing momentum, a perfectly placed punt can pin an opponent deep in their own territory, and a clutch field goal can win a close game. Coaches are now factoring special teams performance into their decision-making, recognizing that these plays can be just as important as offensive and defensive strategies.
Fantasy Football and the Overlooked Advantage
Even in fantasy football, the special teams renaissance is creating new opportunities for savvy managers. While kickers and defense/special teams (D/ST) units are often afterthoughts in drafts, they can provide valuable points on a week-to-week basis. A D/ST unit that excels in special teams touchdowns, blocked kicks, and return yardage can be a significant asset.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Special Teams
The special teams renaissance is still in its early stages, but the impact is already being felt across the NFL. As teams continue to embrace analytics, invest in coaching, and prioritize player development, special teams will only become more important in the years to come. The days of neglecting this crucial aspect of the game are over; in 2025 and beyond, special teams will be a key differentiator between winning and losing.