The NFL has implemented new rules in 2025. One big one is the new kickoff rule. Most of the rule changes in the 2025 season are to help make the game safer. Players get injured all the time in the NFL, and their goal is to reduce the number of injuries as much as they can.
The biggest rule change this season is adding a little bit to the Dynamic Kickoff rule. This puts the players closer together and promotes more returns. The players line up at the 50-yard line and can’t pass it until the ball has landed.
Most of the injuries that happen on kickoff target concussions and strains. I don’t know if this rule will help safety-wise. Players can still get hurt on or off kickoff. I didn’t think that moving the touchback line to the 35-yard line would help get more returns because it only moved five yards.
According to News10.com, this rule change is improving the return rate a lot. This is the highest return rate in week one has ever been since 2010. This is good because it can help get great momentum drives and gives a good potential to have more game-changing plays.
After News10.com stated, “The return rate kept dropping and reached a record-low 21.8% in 2023, leading to the decision to adopt the so-called dynamic kickoff last season.” In 2024, the NFL created a new kickoff rule called the Dynamic Kickoff. This aligned the players differently to try and reduce high-speed collisions.
In the 2025 season, they updated this rule to what it is now. So, we now have an opportunity to get more returns on kickoffs, but it’s safer because there won’t be as many high-speed collisions, causing injuries.
Do you think this has a positive or negative impact on the game? I can’t think of any negatives, so I see this as a positive impact.
New Oakmont math teacher Mr. Colton Bosselait has his own opinion on this topic.. “I think that from a viewer’s perspective, it’s a positive because going and watching a team kickoff knowing it’s going to be a touchback every time is not very interesting from a viewership perspective.”
This can help the fans get more into the game. If you are watching an NFL game, would you rather see a return on a kickoff or a touchback?
Having the touchback line move up allows for more returns. This allows teams to have good momentum into their next offensive drive.
So overall, this is mostly positive because of the safety, and we will get more returns on kickoffs. As Bossolait said, “I think overall it’s a positive because of the safety aspect, rather than having those high-speed collisions.”
