NFL kickoff rules changes: What do coaches, players expect? - ESPN

A wild scramble commenced on the afternoon of March 28. NFL owners had approved a fundamental overhaul of kickoffs, agreeing to implement a structure so different from tradition that competition committee chairman Rich McKay ranked it among the league's most substantial rules changes of the past 30 years.

The timing left teams 163 days before the regular season starts to practice the new alignment, which the NFL projects will more than double the rate of returns from the 2023 season and add about 1,000 plays to games over the course of the season.

The list of questions seemed endless:

Given the basic premise of the redesign — less downfield running and more incentives to return — what personnel changes would be needed?

How many returners should be on the field?

What is the ideal kick trajectory and placement?

Are there ways to shield kickers from risking injury amid the potential projected uptick in being involved in tackles?

How would field position be affected?

What other peripheral side effects should be expected?

Most notably: Will it produce as many returns as the NFL hopes?

ESPN spoke with coaches, players and analytics experts this spring as they rushed to prepare. Many echoed the uncertainty of New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen, who said: «There's nobody that knows what this kickoff is going to look like. That's the reality. It's never been done [in the NFL] before.»

Teams didn't throw their hands up. Instead, they devoted more attention to special teams during OTAs and minicamps than ever, experimenting and musing publicly on ideas as eccentric as using position players as kickers to minimize injuries or a 12th man to hold on windy days.

They've reported to training camp this month with plans to refine