Let’s assume for the sake of argument that most NFL kickers can consistently put kickoffs in the back of the end zone. This may be an oversimplification, since there are some who can’t, but bear with me. If that is the case, why would a special teams coach instruct his kicker to kick the ball to the goal line and force a return?
The reason for this lies in the 2016 rule change that brought touchbacks on kickoffs in the NFL out to the 25 yard line instead of the 20. Couple this with the rule change from 2011 that moved the spot for kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 and you make it much easier for every place kicker to kick the ball five to ten yards deep into the end zone.