How the NFL’s new kickoff rule could change Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl 59 strategy
One of the most lasting Super Bowl moments in the last few decades was the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI. The underdog Chicago Bears watched Devin Hester make a few moves and sprint his way past every Indianapolis Colt on the field to give his team a quick lead. But the NFL has embraced […]
One of the most lasting Super Bowl moments in the last few decades was the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI. The underdog Chicago Bears watched Devin Hester make a few moves and sprint his way past every Indianapolis Colt on the field to give his team a quick lead.
But the NFL has embraced more safety-based rules and tweaks in recent years. The traditional kickoff method is now gone, and the NFL's new kickoff rule will surely affect the strategy of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.
Now, the NFL uses a "dynamic kickoff" instead of the traditional setup. Before the change, NFL special teams units rarely returned kicks, with only 21.8% being returned.
For those unfamiliar, the new kickoff setup can initially appear strange, with the kicker positioned alone at his 35-yard line and ten coverage players lined up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line. The return team has nearly nine blockers stationed in the “setup zone” between the 30- and 35-yard lines, with at least seven of these players positioned at the 35. Up to two returners may be positioned inside the 20-yard line.
Only the kicker and the two returners are permitted to move until the ball either hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.
Any kick that travels to the end zone in the air is eligible for a return, or the receiving team can choose to take a touchback, which places possession at the 30-yard line. Likewise, if a kick goes airborne into the end zone and then goes out of bounds or out of the end zone, it will also result in a touchback at the 30.
According to the NFL, this rule change has led to 332 more returns in 2024, increasing the return rate to 32.8%. There were 59 returns of 40 yards or more, marking the highest figure in the league since 2016, and seven touchdown returns.
The concussion rate dropped by 43% compared to the previous three years, with the lowest number of lower-extremity strains on kick return plays since 2018.
The postseason return rate has risen to 45.1%, although this may be influenced by the challenges of kicking deep in cold conditions, which won’t be a concern during the Super Bowl set to take place in a dome.
In the regular season, each team had roughly one-sixth of their kickoffs landing in the return zone, with the Chiefs at 17.2% and the Eagles at 16.5%. Philadelphia's rate surged to 43.5% during the playoffs, largely due to weather conditions rather than a strategy aimed at preventing the opposing team from advancing beyond the 30-yard line.
The rule is in a one-year trial phase and could be modified or revoked in the upcoming offseason.
Kick returns have been pivotal for both Philadelphia and Kansas City on their path to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles’ coverage teams have produced two turnovers, forcing a fumble on the first kickoff of their wild-card victory against Green Bay and again in the NFC Championship game against Washington. Additionally, Kenneth Gainwell achieved a 44-yard return in the divisional round against the Rams.
Nikko Remigio set a strong precedent for the Chiefs by returning the opening kickoff in their first playoff game during the divisional round against Houston for 63 yards, helping to set up a scoring opportunity.
