'It's going to be a big factor' — Dave Toub on the rule change that Chiefs special teams unit is preparing for daily

The NFL made a drastic change to their kickoff rules last season.

However, it didn't quite make the impact it hoped, as the kick return rate was less than 33 percent in 2024. That led to the league moving touchbacks from the 30-yard line up to the 35-yard line for the 2025 season. The goal is to decrease the number of touchbacks and make the kickoff a more exciting play.

The NFL projects that this change will increase the kick return rate to between 60-70 percent. You can bet that Dave Toub, who is one of the most detail-oriented coaches in the league, will have Kansas City's special teams unit prepared. After Day 4 of Chiefs training camp practice on Friday, Toub was asked how they are adapting to the rule change.

"It's going to change a lot," Toub said. "With the new kickoff rule, if you hit a touchback, if the ball flies into the endzone, last year you got the ball at the 30, now you get the ball at the 35. That's going to change everything. So teams are going to want to hit it into the target zone just about every time. And that means there's going to be returns every time. It means you got to cover every kick every time. 

"So that's why we work on it," Toub continued. "You see us working on it every day, because it's going to be a big factor. A big influence in games is kick return and kickoffs. So that's where it's going to change a lot as far as that goes, which is a good thing. To me, it's a positive change. It's good for all special-teamers and special teams coaches, because it makes the plays more relevant. The fans are going to like it too, because now there's more plays. You're not just seeing touchbacks. Last year it was just a wash, so this will be a lot better."