Pittsburgh Review

On the same day NFL ownership voted to make dramatic changes to the league's kickoff rule, the Steelers signed free agent Cordarrelle Patterson, who has an NFL-record nine career kickoff returns for touchdowns.

NFL ownership voted to not just tweak the current kickoff rules but massively overhaul them on March 28 in Orlando, Fla., sending special teams coaches across the league scrambling to figure out the ramifications of what was approved.

"People that watch it to start are not going to know what they're looking at," said Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who was one of a handful of coaches who helped come up with the new rule at the behest of the league. "It is a complex rule. It is a vast change. It's very interesting. There is going to be more action. It's in. You've got to love it."

The new rule, which received approval on a trial basis for the 2024 season, will look much different for fans watching the game, starting with the Steelers' preseason opener against the Texans. It also will be much different for players, who have never done anything like this before.

Here are the highlights of the new rule:

- The kicker will still kick off from his own 35 but his teammates will now line up on the opponents' 40 and cannot move downfield until the ball is either touched by the opponent or hits the ground.

- The receiving team must line up at least seven players between the 30 and 35-yard line in what's being called the 'set up zone' and they're allowed a maximum of two players inside the 'landing zone,' which is between the goal line and the 20.

- If a kickoff hits short of the landing zone, the receiving team automatically starts at their own 40-yard line.

- If it lands inside the landing zone and goes through the endzone, drive starts at 20.

- Any kick that is downed in or lands in endzone and goes through results in touchback to 30-yard line.

- If a kickoff goes out of bounds, receiving team takes possession on its 40-yard line.

Elements of this new kickoff rule were used in previous seasons by XFL but that league went back to more conventional kickoff after experimenting with some radical changes implemented by NFL this season.

"I think there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties," said Steelers special teams ace Tyler Matakevich. "Nobody really knows. Nobody has really done it."

"How many false starts are there going to be?" Smith asked. "Between return team and coverage team, we're both watching this ball in air initially. How many false starts are there going to be if people leave prior to ball hitting ground or being touched?"

"(The receiving team) can adjust to your alignment, but once they get set, they have to stay set," Smith added.

Any kick that hits short of landing zone – 20 – will be treated as kickoff out of bounds and spotted at 40-yard line with play blown dead as soon as ball hits ground.

A kick that hits in landing zone must be returned. A kick that hits in landing zone and goes into endzone must be returned or downed by receiving team. If it is downed, touchback places ball at 20-yard line.

A kick that hits in endzone and stays inbound will be placed at 30-yard line if downed by receiving team. Any kick that goes out of endzone either in air or bouncing is considered touchback and placed at 30 as well.

There will be no fair catch signals; officials will blow play dead once ball is downed by receiving team.

"We've had those guys doing cross and running off field when it lands in endzone," Smith said. "You watch; somebody's going to get burned by that."

That's why coaches across league have emphasized new rule so much throughout offseason and into training camps.

Nobody is really sure what everything is going to look like until they get into some actual games in preseason. It's one reason why so many teams including Steelers are utilizing joint practices this summer.

"We're all going to figure it out together," said Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig.

Among other changes with new rule is what happens if ball falls off tee.

Initially, kickers were going to be permitted use kicking stick they use practice sidelines but late July teams were told plan scrapped; a twelfth player permitted come onto field hold ball then immediately return sideline following kick.

Rules could continue tweaked as league figures out what does work doesn't work.

"It would not shock me if we tweak it all along," Smith said.

Smith didn't emphasize kickoff rule during first week training camp waiting for league send officials discuss what permitted not permitted learn where officials set up how different parts adjudicated

"I think we'll all figure out exactly what this looks like Week 1 preseason," said Steelers kicker Chris Boswell

One thing certain: Kickoffs look much different

Previous changes made improve player safety worked according Smith concussions on kickoffs went from thirteen across league eight last season fewer returns In twenty twenty-two opponents attempted forty-seven returns against Steelers last season number fell eighteen most teams decided simply take ball twenty-five yard-line touchback fair catch inside twenty fair catch no longer permitted balls kicked out endzone placed thirty emphasis heavy on placement difficult cold weather cities season wears

"Indoor teams can do whatever want conditions we play you've got spot kicks," Boswell said hang time no longer matter nobody move until touched ground landing zone squib taken game kicks hit inside twenty touch ground hit players outside placed forty

"The landing zone important," Smith said "People saying you squib these kicks you have get into landing zone from twenty yard-line now you're not just kicking return guys nineteen people balled there more bodies play one returner you've got twenty play two you've got nineteen challenge"

"It's not easy kicker"

One interesting aspects near twenty receiving field return replay shows hit short considered dead placed forty

It's also change who put onto because return coverage only five yards apart greater emphasis blocking ability get off blocks

"It's five-yard separation you get touched contact better players handling tight ends releases linebackers chipped linemen outside backers chipped tight ends types shed block hard avoid radius contact"

Defensive backs wide receivers running backs used past speed might still place matchups considered

"Big athletic guys play more match up center middle formation picking five example DB last week wideout good matchup week d-tackle athletic tackle bad swap people mine yours good matchup ability"

Returns little different

"Took running happen quickly glorified stretch see explosive plays year touchdowns past layer safeties fold behind multiple layers speeds impactful explosiveness area game" All-Pro special teams captain Miles Killebrew said

Smith spent offseason dreaming plays advantage until gets game situations trial error whole stack things night works pile looks good don't know process since hasn't done exception onside part equation surprise longer fourth quarter trailing declare desire utilize current rules apply beyond setup untouched penalized placed twenty

All new different But it's rule embracing ever-changing game coaches players Herbig said