The NFL’s dynamic kickoff implementation, one of the biggest visceral rule changes the game has seen in decades, was created with two missions in mind:
1. Increase returns and the excitement of the play.
2. Make the game safer and reduce head injuries from the “car crashes” of players colliding at full speed.
One year in and the NFL seems successful in doing both. According to data released yesterday, NFL returns shot up nearly 60 percent while injuries were reduced. We don’t have immediate season-long data but through six weeks, the league charted just one concussion on kick returns after eight occurred in 2023 (with far fewer returns) and 20 in 2022.