Toub vs. the NFL

The latest newsletter from KCSN Sports Data Scientist, Joseph Hefner.

A new rule passed this week caused a great deal of consternation amongst some coaches in the National Football League. It was widely reported that many coaches and players were dead-set against this change. The Kelce brothers, on their fantastic New Heights podcast, even spoke out against it here. Many fans are also wondering just why the NFL would do something like this.

No, I’m not talking about the Thursday Night flex option. I’m talking about the change to the kickoff rule that now allows a kick returner to fair catch a kickoff inside the 25-yard line, and it will be considered a touchback, and the offense will get the ball at the 25 to start. This is quite the change. Teams now don’t truly need a kickoff returner, as they can basically always opt to just start at the 25 or better.