The new kickoff touchback rule, which brings the ball out to the 25-yard line instead of the 20, has special teams coaches looking at their options.
Should kickers ever intentionally kick the ball high and just short of the end zone, forcing the returner to try to run the ball back to at least the 25-yard line?
Coaches probably won’t want to get cute with opposing teams with talented return units.
Based on 2015’s kick return averages, the Green Bay Packers’ opponents with top-grade returners include the Vikings, Bears, Lions, Giants and Cowboys — all of whose primary returners averaged from 28.