The NFL’s new kickoff rules for 2025 are more dynamic than those for 2024.
Nearly three-quarters of kickoffs are set to return in 2025, which the league hailed on a conference call today as a good sign that the rule changes are working as intended. In the 2025 season, 74.5% of kickoffs were returned. In 2024, this proportion will be only 32.8%.
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2024 brings radical changes to the new “dynamic” kickoff in an attempt to increase reward and reduce damage. It works, but the increase in returns isn’t as big as the league would like to see. So in 2025, the NFL is moving the touchback to the 35-yard line to encourage kickers to keep the ball in play.
This has resulted in a significant increase in kickoff returns this season: 1,157 more kickoff returns in 2025 than in 2024. There will also be 137 fewer punts in 2025 than in 2024, as offenses start in better field position and are more likely to get the ball at least into field goal range.
The NFL did acknowledge an increase in concussions among kickoff returners and kickoff rushers this season, but said concussions on kickoffs under the new dynamic were still fewer than under the old kickoff rule.
Overall, the league has given every indication that kickoff rules are going as the league wants them to. And here to stay.
