It's hardly a well-kept secret that the NFL views kickoff returns as disproportionately dangerous in a sport that is already fraught with danger. The league took another step toward phasing them out by adopting a rule that allow returners to take a fair catch inside the 25-yard line and have the ball placed at their own 25.
According to the league, it's to lessen the collisions that occur on kickoffs, as players will be more likely to signal for a fair catch barring very specific circumstances.
Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, isn't keen on the explanation, and he questioned the intentions of the league.