Early returns: NFL’s new kickoff model flips touchback rate in preseason games, marking a significant shift in how kickoffs are approached. This change aims to enhance the excitement of returns while minimizing injury risks, a concern that has loomed over the league for years.
A brief video illustrates the new kickoff format, where players line up five yards apart on the opposing 35- and 40-yard lines, remaining stationary until the kickoff is fielded. This strategy, initially tested in the XFL during the 2022-23 season, has been refined by the NFL to counteract last season’s staggering 78% touchback rate, aiming to boost the number of returns.
As teams took their first swings at this revamped kickoff approach, complexity was kept to a minimum, likely saved for the regular season where strategic surprises could lead to game-changing plays. Initial data from 16 games indicates promising trends.
From a total of 127 kickoffs, an impressive 82% were returned, a stark contrast to the previous season’s figures. The average starting field position improved from 25.5 yards to 28.6 yards, indicating a more favorable scenario for offenses following kickoffs.
Only four significant touchbacks occurred over the weekend. Notably, the Raiders and Seahawks saw kicks land at the 21-yard line, while the Lions and Texans attempted a challenging “line drive” kickoff that touched down at the 33, eventually positioning the ball at the 40-yard line.
With regular touchbacks now starting at the 30-yard line, the question arises: how bold will returners be in bringing the ball out of the end zone? This weekend, 33 kickoffs reached the end zone, with 11 being returned. The league tracks these returns negatively, but one standout was Cowboys receiver Tyron Billy-Johnson, who ventured 8 yards deep into the end zone and managed to reach the 28-yard line.
While the overall touchback rate was just 18%, the results varied widely across games. For instance, the Colts-Broncos matchup featured 12 kickoffs, all of which were returned, contrasting sharply with the Cowboys-Rams game that saw four touchbacks out of eight returns.
Kicking strategies under the new model seem to favor kicks landing close to the goal line without crossing into the end zone, allowing teams to opt for touchbacks starting at the 30. Remarkably, 60% of kickoffs were fielded between the goal line and the 5-yard line, with an additional 25% between the 6 and 10-yard lines.
In the “these kickers are impressive” category, the most common fielding spot was the 1-yard line, with 18 kicks landing there. Jake Camarda of the Buccaneers excelled, with three of his four kickoffs against Cincinnati fielded at the 1-yard line.
Only four kickoffs were short enough to be fielded between the 11 and 20-yard lines, as teams avoided risky kicks that could leave opponents starting at the 40. The Dolphins executed a short kickoff effectively, with one fielded at the 13 and returned to the 23, and another at the 15 that was muffed, resulting in a penalty that started the drive at the 10.
The most exciting kickoff moments came from the Jaguars and Chiefs game. Jacksonville’s Parker Washington recorded two of the three longest returns of the weekend, including a standout 73-yard return that was the only one to cross midfield.
A notable incident occurred just before halftime when a kickoff settled at the 1-yard line, leading Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman to attempt a touchback by kneeling in the end zone. This maneuver resulted in a safety.
In another rule change, safeties now lead to a kickoff from the 20-yard line, maintaining the same blockers and returners as a regular kickoff. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker launched a 76-yard kick to the 4-yard line, allowing Jaguars returner Tank Bigsby to advance it to the 49-yard line.
Who are the players tasked with returning kickoffs? Traditionally, running backs have been favored due to the blocking similarities to running plays. However, among the 75 players who returned kicks this weekend, there was an even split: 34 running backs, 34 receivers, six defensive backs, and one quarterback. The Steelers, dealing with injuries, utilized backup quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who recorded two kickoff returns for 42 yards and participated in punt coverage.
Greg Auman serves as FOX Sports’ NFC South reporter, covering teams such as the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, and Saints. With a decade of experience in NFL reporting, Auman has previously worked with the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
