The NFL's competition committee is likely to propose a change to the league's kickoff rules that could raise return rates for the 2025 season, a source confirmed Tuesday.
The proposal, expected to be submitted in time for next week's league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, would spot touchbacks at the 35-yard line rather than the 30, as it was in 2024 during the inaugural season of the league's revamped kickoff format.
The shift in field position could prompt some coaches to instruct their kickers more often to place the ball in the landing zone, between the 20-yard line and the goal line, rather than in the end zone for touchbacks. It could also work in reverse, with more coaches instructing their returners to take touchbacks when they catch the ball in the end zone rather than running it out.
Regardless, shifting the spot of the touchback appears to be the committee's primary adjustment to a rule that was approved on an experimental basis last year, meaning that at least 24 owners must vote to renew it for 2025. The format produced a return rate of 32.8%, a notable rise from 2023 (21.8%) but lower than any other season since at least 2000.
The committee's initial proposal in 2024 called for touchbacks to be spotted at the 35-yard line, but it was adjusted to the 30 during final discussions to ensure ownership approval. The NFL has signaled for months that it would revert to the 35 for 2025, as executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent predicted last month.
The concussion rate dropped by 43% in the 2024 kickoff format, but there was the same total number of concussions on kickoffs in 2024 (eight) as in 2023 because the rule created more overall returns.
The NFL is expected to send the committee's full list of rule proposals to clubs this week.
The Washington Post first reported the likelihood of the committee's recommendation for spotting touchbacks.