Lions linebacker Grant Stuard runs with the ball on the opening kickoff during a preseason game against the Texans. (David Reginek/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The NFL took a first step last season toward making the kickoff return relevant again. The league hopes to complete the task this season.
In Year 2 of the dramatically overhauled kickoff format, the NFL will implement a tweak to place the ball at the 35-yard line on a touchback on a kickoff. That’s five yards farther upfield from last year’s touchback spot of the 30-yard line, and the league expects that to be the tipping point to discourage kicks from being launched into the end zone — thereby boosting the portion of kickoffs that are returned.