After five weeks of the new kickoff rule, the NFL has seen a significant increase in touchbacks. American football fans across the nation have witnessed a whopping 67.1 percent touchback rate, a slight decrease from last year’s rate of 73.0 percent. However, the anticipated major overhaul to kickoffs has not quite materialized with this new rule.
In an effort to reduce player injuries by eliminating high-speed collisions, the NFL introduced the new dynamic kickoff rule. The rule aimed to add more thrills and excitement to the game by moving touchbacks out to the 30-yard line, encouraging kickers to keep the ball in play. Despite this intention, most teams have chosen to take the safe route and concede the 30-yard line rather than risk a long return. Only five teams, including the Cowboys, Raiders, Panthers, Saints, and Commanders, have had touchbacks on less than half of their kickoffs.
Originally, there was talk of placing the ball on the 35-yard line after touchbacks in order to incentivize teams to keep the ball in play. However, when the final rule change set touchbacks out to the 30-yard line, teams quickly weighed their options and concluded that touchbacks were not in their best interest.
Possibly looking ahead to next year, there may be a rule change on the horizon. For now, touchbacks continue to outnumber returns by more than two-to-one, leaving fans and players alike wondering what the future holds for the kickoff rule in the NFL.
