NFL to Consider Offseason Rule Change to Kickoff Format After Increase in Concussion Rate

The NFL is considering changes to its kickoff format just two seasons into its existence.

According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the league indicated that the reason for a potential change is related to the concussion rate on kickoffs during the 2025 season.

Per Maske, NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said the concussion rates on kickoffs this season was "above the rate for plays from the line of scrimmage, but below the rate under the previous kickoff format."

Miller added, "We feel good about the progress, but there's more work to do."

The NFL has not released overall concussion figures or the concussion rate on kickoffs to the public yet, but in February 2025 the league reported that overall concussions dropped 17 percent from 2023 to 2024.

With regard to kickoffs, the "dynamic kickoff" yielded a concussion rate that was 43 percent less in 2024 than it was from 2021 to 2023.

That is despite the fact that the rule increased kickoff returns by 57 percent during the 2024 regular season.

For most of the NFL's existence, the kick coverage team lined up alongside the kicker and began running to cover the kick as he made his approach to kick the ball.

However, under the dynamic kickoff, the kicker kicks off from his own 35-yard line, while the coverage team lines up at the opposing team's 40-yard line. The coverage team cannot move until a player from the receiving team touches the ball or the ball touches the ground.

Last year, the NFL declared that the dynamic kickoff slowed the average speed of players on kickoff returns, which was intentional in an effort to lessen violent collisions.

It is unclear what changes the NFL could potentially suggest or implement prior to the 2026 season, but since player safety is always top of mind, it isn't a surprise that an increased concussion rate is causing the league to re-evaluate the dynamic kickoff.