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The NFL Is Reportedly Modifying The Kickoff Rule

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 10:33 AM ET

The NFL is making a slew of changes to their rulebook for the 2025 NFL season with some of the most impactful coming on kickoff and in overtime.

Earlier today it was revealed that the league is modifying the regular season overtime rule. Both teams now get a guaranteed possession of the ball in overtime regardless of if the opening drive results in a touchdown.

But a rule that will be far more frequently invoked features a change to the kickoffs. According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, the NFL owners approved a proposal to permanently move the spot of touchdowns from the 30- to the 35-yard line.

"NFL owners approved the competition committee's proposals to make the year-old kickoff format permanent and move the spot of the touchback on kickoffs from the 30- to the 35-yard line. They did not immediately approve the committee's proposed changes to onside kicks," Maske wrote.

NFL owners approved the competition committee's proposals to make the year-old kickoff format permanent and move the spot of the touchback on kickoffs from the 30- to the 35-yard line. They did not immediately approve the committee's proposed changes to onside kicks.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) April 1, 2025

But NFL fans don't seem to like the change:

"this is gonna backfire... if they wanted more returns, then move the kickoff back 5 yards..." one user on X told Ari Meirov.

"For the love of God change it back to the original version," another begged.

"Might as well just award touchdowns at this point," a third lamented.

"In theory that makes sense since kickers would have less incentive to boom kickoffs to the end zone In actuality... you are just changing how defenses will approach the start of a drive," a fourth pointed out.

The change is part of a leaguewide effort to increase the number of kickoff returns. The number has dramatically declined in recent years as NFL teams have found it easier and easier to simply kick the ball out of bounds and force a touchback. Doing so totally mitigates any risk of of kickoffs being returned for a touchdown.

This rule will give teams better field position on touchbacks, which should discourage teams from kicking out of the endzone.

Do you like the change to the rule? Should the NFL just change it back to what it was all those years ago, with the ball coming out way deeper in opposing territory?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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