Kyle Shanahan is already considering undermining the NFL’s new kickoff rules.
We’ve seen the new rule in action in preseason, and it appears as if it will take some getting used to. But it could make for some exciting and memorable returns if the league has its way.
The new kickoff came about as part of the NFL’s plan to limit dead plays. It’s understood that 75 percent of kicks went for touchbacks last season, something the owners hope to avoid moving forward. So they’ve come up with a way to inject some excitement, with players now required to line up between the 30 and 45-yard lines and remain still until the returner makes the catch or the ball hits the ground.
Of course, teams could still kick balls to the end zone for touchbacks. That would mean the offense gets to start at the 30-yard line, but kick returns have averaged 29 yards since the new rules were introduced, while some have set up major returns.
The @NFL's new Dynamic Kickoff rules ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/To1IraS4Hr
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 9, 2024
Kyle Shanahan Might Not Opt To Keep The Ball In Play A Whole Lot In The Upcoming Season
While speaking to reporters, Kyle Shanahan appeared to flirt with the idea of ruining the league’s plans by giving the 30 up rather than risking way more.
“It’s a hell of an idea. I haven’t thought of that. Yeah, we’re all talking about that and it looks like it’ll make a lot of sense once the season starts,” he told reporter, per ProFootballTalk. “But, this was our first week with us doing it. It was our first week really getting more teams, besides the Hall of Fame game and stuff, to evaluate it.
“When you can start there at the 30 and the average starting line’s the 29, it doesn’t seem like there’s that much of a difference to really go with the risk of it. It also can be an advantage too.
“We’ll see how good our 11 are that we put out there, how our returners are and stuff, whether people give you the opportunity for it. But it’s kind of a wait-and-see approach.”
Such a tactic could end up being league-wide by the regular season, which would render the NFL’s desires moot.
The Dynamic Kickoff is HERE! 🙌🏿
The first week of preseason football had 80% of KO’s returned—58.1% higher than last season!
Check out some exciting returns from the first weekend of @NFL football 👇🏿
Learn more about the Dynamic Kickoff: https://t.co/Fru6H2s5Ua pic.twitter.com/WmgW2ayuvq
— Troy Vincent, Sr. (@TroyVincentSr) August 13, 2024
But would anyone blame a coach for keeping the ball on the 30-yard line over risking a significant kick return late in a game?”
Time will tell how teams decide to handle this, but the idea highlighted above could also backfire as the owners could decide to add more yards to touchbacks, which would really force coaches to keep the ball inside.
Still, all of them would prefer handing the opponent the ball in their own half over providing the opportunity for a mega return, or worse, if a game is close with little time on the clock.
