By JOSH DUBOW The first full weekend of exhibition games featuring the new dynamic kickoff included two long returns, a significant drop in touchbacks and mass confusion on an odd play that ended u…
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos prepares to kick off during the beginning of the NFL exhibition Hall of Fame football game against the Houston Texans, in Canton, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. of increasing the rate of returns and bringing back the threat of big plays were mostly accomplished last weekend.
“I think it’s a good coaching point for all teams, to really coach our returners in that situation,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “It’s definitely going to be on the coach’s video that’s going to come out this week. It’s really a good teaching moment for everybody, us included, for our returners. It’s just a great way to learn that rule and to learn the game of football.”
There were only 10 kickoff returns of at least 60 yards in the entire 2023 regular season, down from an average of more than 34 per season from 2001-10 before rule changes to increase player safety started making the kickoff obsolete. There have been only 24 touchbacks so far this preseason and an average starting field position at the 29 yard line — compared to the 23.8 at this point last preseason, when 65% of kicks had been returned. The rate of returns typically falls once the season starts and teams aren’t testing out players and schemes in live action, but the 81% rate so far this preseason bodes well for the NFL’s hope that at least half of all kicks will be returned.
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