Kickoff rules will be back under the microscope soon
By
Mike Florio
 
Published March 23, 2025 01:52 PM

The NFL finally found a change to the kickoff formation that it likes. But the league apparently doesn’t like it enough.

Four weeks ago today, Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said changes are likely coming. It could be a shift in the primary touchback point from the 30 to the 35 for kicks. It could be a shift in the kickoff spot from the kicking team’s 35 to the 30.

It could be both. It likely won’t be neither.

A change in the touchback spot would encourage more returns. While plenty of teams have been willing to concede the 30, not as many will surrender the 35. (There will still be situations in which it still makes strategic sense to do it.)

Regardless, the change to the formation has resurrected the play — even if certain observers of the sport don’t like it.

On that point, here’s a key thing to remember. The 2024 change passed as a one-year experiment. If at least nine owners decide they agree with the Commander in Chief, the kickoff reverts to 2023 rules.

For anything that happens regarding the kickoff in 2025, 24 or more votes will be needed. This includes last year’s formation or any changes to it.

It also includes any potential changes to the onside kick, a dead play which has become even more dead now that it can only be attempted in the fourth quarter by the team that is trailing with a clear declaration that it’s coming.

I'm feeling old again.

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When the Patriots traded for veteran receiver Randy Moss in April 2007, some wondered how he would fit into the team's culture. A banner headline across the Boston Globe's front page the next day read: "Controversial receiver Moss aboard."

Moss was entering his 10th NFL season, and among the storylines that followed him to New England was a comment he made early in his career when he said, "I play when I want to play."

Coupled with on-field frustrations that boiled over with the Raiders, the acquisition was viewed by some as risky.

Turns out it was brilliant.

The story comes to mind in the wake of the Patriots hosting free agent receiver Stefon Diggs -- whose transgressions have been documented in Minnesota and Buffalo -- on a visit last week.

This isn't to say Diggs is an equal to Moss as a player; few in the history of the game are. But it serves a reminder that perception isn't always full reality. At the least, the Patriots' visit with Diggs, who like Moss began his career with the Vikings, was an attempt to go beyond the surface and get to know him better as he gets set to enter his 11th season.

One coach who worked closely with Diggs told ESPN he is one of his all-time favorites because he "loves football, practices hard and with purpose, and wants to be coached," adding that "he's a warmer person than the stigma that follows him."

The visit was also a chance for the Patriots to assess where the 31-year-old Diggs is in his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered on Oct. 27 while playing for the Houston Texans. League sources have described Diggs as ahead of schedule, already running full speed and gaining increased comfort cutting and changing direction.

In turn, the visit gave Diggs a chance to consider what it would be like to play under first-year coach Mike Vrabel, whose team has a glaring void at receiver and a promising second-year quarterback in Drake Maye.

Since 2020, Diggs has 5,868 receiving yards (ranks sixth in NFL), 40 touchdowns (seventh) and averages 79.3 yards per game (ninth).

Would Diggs prefer to be on a surefire contender? Or if the Patriots took a Milton Williams-type approach with an aggressive offer that showed their conviction and belief despite the injury risk, would that trump all else for him?

The answers to those questions are to be determined, as neither side seems to be operating with heightened urgency at this point.

ESPN

Are you regretting not doing "something" to draft one of the 6 qb's last year?

Either move down a few spots, move-up, stay where they were at #6???

Good WR's are there every year, good QB's are not.

When the run started.

I remember previous NFL Drafts where I felt strongly at whatever pick we were at to get this position player or that position player, rated X, Y or Z among position players entering the draft.

Given how Kwesi has filled nearly every hole (backup QB TBD...and that's not going to come in the draft), via Free Agency this year (a cherry on top of last year's astounding FA signings), yeah, BPA or whatever fills you fancy.

No need to reach.
And no real need to trade down for more draft picks.  UDFAs have proven their mettle sometimes far better than late round picks. 
Take what we get for this year's draft.

Dayum, we're in a good position right now.  
Let's just hope and pray that the injury bug stays away this season.

This has been one of the best free agency periods I can remember. The ability to fill holes has been impressive. Creating a top level (on paper) team to put around our redshirt rookie QB JJ McCarthy. Lots of buzz and excitement as we head into next month's Draft. The competitive rebuild is over and it was highly successful....now comes the window. For me, its going to be one of the most highly anticipated seasons in quite awhile. Coach of the Year in the bucket, how about Breakout Player of the Year in JJM for 2025? 

Dare to dream.....once again, lol. 

Really? I know they need a QB, but taking Sanders at #3 would be seriously overdrafting him IMO. I love everything about Sanders except for his size and his arm strength, which is below average. They say he's 6'1 1/2" tall but he sure doesn't look like it to me. But he's got really good pocket awareness and accuracy. I think some of the throws he's completed in college might be INTs in the pros. 

I read what I wrote here and it sounds like I don't like him as a player, but I do. I just don't think he's the #3 overall pick in the Draft by any stretch.

If you had Bill Maher in the liberal dead pool.... Im guessing you are going to hit.

Apparently Bill will be meeting with Trump,  and I doubt its going to be the trap that the left are hoping for... so with that said, I am guessing Mahers popularity will take another hit, not likely to the point of Musk or any of the other former liberals that have shifted allegiance,  but we know the tolerance for tolerance is rarely recognizable when ones dares to cross that line.

get your popcorn ready.