The new kickoff rule has a lot of people scratching their heads. During the 2016 season, kickoffs that result in a touchback will give the offense the ball on the 25-yard line, rather than the 20. This is a clear incentive not to return the kick.
Obviously, the rule is player safety initiative.
In 2015, 56 percent of kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.
Should returners ever return kickoffs caught in the end zone now that this rule is in place?
Most numbers-crunchers have concluded that teams with strong returners ought to return kicks, whereas teams with below-average return games should take the touchback.