NFL to discuss tweaks to new “dynamic kickoff” rules and onside kicks/fourth down rules
The NFL introduced their new “dynamic kickoff,” rules in 2024, and it seems they are already going to adjust the rule a bit in 2025. One of the largest changes to the dynamic kickoff that may be coming is the touchback being moved from the 30-yard-line to the 35-yard-line.
If the league does end up changing the touchback rules, this would be the third time in nine years (and second time in two) they have moved the touchback up five yards: 2016 moved it from the 20 to the 25-yard-line, 2024 brought it to the 30-yard-line.
It appears the league intends to limit the amount of touchbacks, turning it away from a regular occurrence — or a happy medium for both teams — to more of a competitive advantage for the receiving team.
In turn, the move would result in less kicking teams just blasting the ball out of the end zone. Instead, it should result in tactical kickoffs that force returns. If the trend continues, one day fans could even watch touchbacks begin at the 40 or 50-yard lines. Obviously, that would make touchbacks a massive competitive advantage if teams are simply awarded half the field for taking a knee.
Although the dynamic kickoff has received its fair share of criticisms, it directly resulted in more kick returns: 32.8 percent of kickoffs were returned in 2024 which is an 11 percent increase from the year prior, per NFL Operations.
One can reasonably assume that if the league moves the touchback up in 2025, returns will become more common as teams put added effort on kickoffs landing in the “landing area” rather than anywhere near the end zone.
Luke Graham is a digital sports content co-op for 98.5 the Sports Hub. He is currently a sophomore communications student at Northeastern University. Follow him on X @LukeGraham05.
