Since the NFL introduced its dynamic kickoff era two years ago, the league has seen a notable increase in kickoff returns, aligning with its goal of enhancing special teams’ excitement and action. However, the 2024 season brought significant changes to the kickoff format, prompting ongoing assessment and adjustments as the NFL seeks the right balance between thrilling gameplay and player safety. While many coaches have welcomed the revamped kickoff rules, the changes have also stirred debate, particularly over the elimination of surprise onside kicks and the introduction of a 35-yard touchback rule.
One of the most vocal critics of the dynamic kickoff format has been former President Donald Trump. Early in the 2024 season, Trump publicly expressed his dissatisfaction, calling the new kickoff style "demeaning" to football and stating that he had urged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to revert to more traditional kickoff rules. His criticism centers largely on the delay imposed between the kick and when coverage players on the kicking team are allowed to move. Under the current rules, the kicking team lines up on the opponent’s 40-yard line, while the receiving team positions its players between their own 30- and 35-yard lines. Neither side can initiate movement until the ball either lands or is caught by a returner.
Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show," Trump elaborated on his views, saying, “I hate the kickoff in football. I think it’s so terrible. I think it’s so demeaning. I think it hurts the game, it hurts the pageantry. I’ve told that to Roger Goodell. And I don’t think it’s any safer. I mean, you still have guys crashing into each other. It’s the opposite of what the game — the ball is in the air, nobody’s moving. It’s supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played, you’re supposed to be moving. The pageantry of the game is so badly hurt.”
In response to this criticism, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub dismissed Trump’s comments, stating in a recent media availability, “He doesn’t even know what he’s looking at. He has no idea what’s going on with the kickoff rule. Take that for what it’s worth. I hope he hears it.” Toub’s remarks highlight the divide between those involved in the game at a professional level and external critics who may lack full understanding of the nuances of the new kickoff rules.
From a league perspective, the dynamic kickoff concept was designed to encourage more returns while improving safety. Before the 2025 season, the NFL tweaked the touchback rule to further boost return rates by moving the ball out to the 35-yard line after a touchback, compared to the 30-yard line in the first year of the dynamic kickoff model and the 25-yard line prior to its implementation. This change was part of the NFL’s ongoing strategy to incentivize returns rather than touchbacks, aiming to increase the excitement on special teams.
The initial year of the dynamic kickoff format in 2024 delivered exactly what the NFL hoped for: a significant jump in kickoff returns. Return frequency climbed to 32.8%, a marked rise from the 21.8% recorded in the final year under the old format — which was the lowest return rate in NFL history. Additionally, the average length of kickoff returns increased from 23 yards to 27.5 yards, further enhancing the potential for game-changing plays.
Despite this improvement, the NFL believed the return rate was still below its target. The introduction of the 35-yard touchback rule in 2025 was intended to further tilt the odds in favor of returns. Early data from the 2025 season suggests this strategy is working well. According to league data obtained by The Athletic, through Week 7 of the 2025 season, players returned an impressive 79.3% of kickoffs — more than doubling the return rate from the same period in 2024. This surge in kickoff returns has also brought a rise in long returns; there were 32 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards through Week 7 in 2025, compared to only 13 during the same time frame the previous year.
While Trump criticized the dynamic kickoff format for the lack of in-motion players during the ball’s flight, the data shows that once players are permitted to move, the new rules have resulted in more action-packed returns. This increased frequency and length of