The re-engineered kickoff is a promising concept, but it bears a critical flaw that could derail its intended impact.
This preseason, kickoffs were returned at a 71% rate—the highest since 2014, per Yahoo Sports. However, from Week 1 to Week 3 of the preseason, the return rate plummeted from 82% to 57%. This significant decline set off alarm bells across the league because it exposed a real flaw in the rule’s language: the starting field position on a touchback.
The rule stipulates that the ball will be placed at the 30-yard line if the kickoff lands in the end zone. Despite the increased return rate this preseason, the average starting field position was the 28.8-yard line. Thus, kicking teams are still incentivized to kick the ball into the end zone to avoid potential touchdowns via the return. As evidenced by the declining return rates in the preseason, teams have already adopted this strategy.
To fix this, here are two solutions that should be considered.
First, eliminate the “landing zone” and incentivize more in-play kicks by moving the starting kickoff position back 15 yards—from the 35-yard line to the 20 or 15-yard line. Since kickers can kick the ball farther, the NFL should move the starting position back until kickers cannot kick the ball into the endzone.
Another solution is to make the starting field position undesirable. The NFL should stipulate an increased penalty for touchbacks, such as advancing the ball to the 40-yard line to make returns the most desirable option.
The NFL will soon realize the futility of their new rule, and fans will voice their frustration about the kickoff’s “weird” new look without improved results.
Read this article for a refresh on the new kickoff rule: https://www.thecogentcolumn.com/post/the-nfl-hybrid-kickoff-a-breakdown-of-the-nfl-s-new-kickoff-rule
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