Two-High Takeover: How NFL Defenses are Shutting Down the Pass in 2025
The echoes of Super Bowl LIX have faded, but the strategic shifts that defined the 2024 season continue to reverberate across the league. Remember that pivotal Week 12 matchup where the Baltimore Ravens held Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to under 200 passing yards? That wasn’t a fluke. It was a sign of things to come. One trend, in particular, has become undeniable: the “Two-High Takeover.” The two-high safety look, once a situational tactic, has evolved into a dominant defensive philosophy, reshaping offensive playbooks and forcing quarterbacks to rethink their approach.
The Rise of the Umbrella: Understanding Two-High Safety
At its core, the two-high safety scheme involves deploying both safeties deep, typically 12-15 yards off the line of scrimmage, before the snap. This “umbrella” coverage accomplishes several key objectives:
- Discourages Deep Shots: The presence of two deep safeties deters quarterbacks from attempting risky, downfield throws. This forces offenses to work underneath, relying on shorter, more methodical gains.
- Limits Explosive Plays: By crowding the intermediate zones, two-high safety reduces the opportunities for explosive plays, forcing offenses to string together multiple successful plays to move the ball downfield.
- Forces Patience: The scheme demands patience from quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. They must be willing to accept shorter gains and meticulously work their way down the field, rather than relying on the big play.
The impact is clear. According to Pro Football Focus, the league-wide average for yards per pass attempt has decreased by nearly 8% since the widespread adoption of two-high schemes began in 2023. In 2024, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals led the league in passing yards with 4,918, a testament to the offensive talent still thriving, but also indicative of the shorter, more calculated passing game.
Defensive Masterminds: Who’s Leading the Charge?
Several defensive coordinators have emerged as pioneers in the two-high revolution.
- Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator: Known for his aggressive yet adaptable schemes, the Ravens’ DC has effectively utilized two-high to neutralize potent passing attacks. His strategic deployment of safeties Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams has been instrumental in the Ravens’ defensive success.
- Houston Texans Defensive Coordinator: The Texans’ DC has built the best NFL defense in 2025, starting with one of the best secondaries in the NFL, which should be even better with the acquisition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and healthy versions of Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward.
- Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph: Joseph enables the ultra-aggressive Broncos play-caller to concoct exotic pressure schemes to keep opposing quarterbacks on the run.
These coordinators have not only embraced the two-high concept but have also innovated within it, using different personnel groupings and pre-snap rotations to keep offenses guessing.
Quarterbacks Under Pressure: Adapting to the New Reality
The two-high takeover has placed immense pressure on quarterbacks. No longer can they simply rely on their arm strength to win games. They must now possess:
- Exceptional Pre-Snap Reads: Identifying defensive alignments and predicting coverage schemes before the snap is crucial. Quarterbacks must be able to quickly adjust their play calls or route combinations based on these reads.
- Precision and Accuracy: With deep throws limited, quarterbacks must be incredibly accurate on short and intermediate routes. This requires impeccable timing and chemistry with their receivers.
- Patience and Decision-Making: The ability to check down to a shorter route when the deep option is covered is paramount. Quarterbacks must be willing to take what the defense gives them and avoid forcing throws into tight coverage.
Patrick Mahomes, despite facing more two-high looks than ever, has adapted by utilizing Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice on shorter routes, showcasing his ability to evolve his game. Similarly, Josh Allen has incorporated more designed runs and quick passes to mitigate the impact of the two-high coverage.
The Running Game Renaissance
The emphasis on two-high safety has inadvertently led to a resurgence in the running game. With defenses prioritizing pass coverage, running lanes have opened up, allowing teams to establish a more balanced offensive attack. The Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX winners, are a prime example of this, shifting back to power running offenses, countering defenses that have been built to stop high-flying passing attacks.
Teams like the Cleveland Browns, led by Nick Chubb, and the Tennessee Titans, with Derrick Henry, have capitalized on this trend, using their dominant running games to control the clock and keep opposing offenses off the field. This power running game makes a comeback, countering defenses that have been built to stop high-flying passing attacks.
The Future of Offense: Evolution or Revolution?
The two-high takeover is not the death of the passing game, but rather an evolution. Offenses are adapting by:
- Utilizing More Motion and Play-Action: Pre-snap motion and play-action can create confusion and force defenders to declare their intentions, opening up passing lanes.
- Employing More Tight End Sets: Tight ends who can block and catch are becoming increasingly valuable, as they can exploit mismatches in the intermediate zones.
- Developing Quicker Passing Games: Short, quick passes can negate the effectiveness of the two-high coverage by getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands before the safeties can react.
The Kansas City Chiefs, known for their innovative offensive schemes, have been experimenting with more RPOs (run-pass options) and creative route combinations to keep defenses guessing.
The Draft Impact: Safeties in High Demand
The emphasis on two-high safety has also impacted the NFL Draft. Safeties with exceptional coverage skills and the ability to read offenses are now highly coveted. In the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, prospects like Emeka Emmanwori from South Carolina are projected as top picks due to their versatility and ball-hawking abilities.
Teams are also prioritizing cornerbacks who can excel in man coverage, allowing safeties to focus on deep zone responsibilities. Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles is a prime example, having a shutdown corner in the playoffs.
Conclusion: A New Era of Strategic Football
The “Two-High Takeover” is reshaping the NFL landscape. Defenses are dictating the terms, forcing offenses to adapt and evolve. While the passing game will always be a vital part of the sport, the emphasis on two-high safety has brought a new level of strategic complexity to the game.