Just over 30% of kickoffs have been returned this season compared to 20% last season
The commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodellexpects some adjustments in the offseason to the new kickoff rules, but said overall, “it’s working.”
The new rules have made kickoffs relevant again, he said, and early injury data is promising.
Just over 30% of kickoffs have been returned this season compared to 20% last season, he reported.
“With that increase in returns, it’s giving us more data to determine if we can do it more safely. It’s actually incredibly promising. We’re seeing smaller impacts that have led to less serious injuries and fewer injuries. So I think it’s working,” he said. Roger Goodell Saturday at a fan forum in London, the site of Sunday’s game between the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On average, kickoff drives begin just after the 29-yard line, compared to just after the 24 previously, he said.
“I think what we’ll ultimately see is a change in the offseason,” Goodell said. “Once we know it’s a safer play, it will encourage more kickoffs. That could happen in a couple of ways. You could move the kickoff line back, so they can’t kick the ball as easily. You could also to say that the penalty for kicking the ball out will be assessed at the 35-yard line instead of where we are, at the 30-yard line.”
He explained that the “cool” thing about the new system is that “a little crease develops and that guy goes. That’s what I’m looking for, that long kickoff return to get back in the game. I think we had four or five last year.” “We’re already at that number in Week 6. That’s pretty good.”
Roger Goodell He also talked about growing the game outside of the USAincluding the possibility of holding a Super Bowl outside the USA for the first time.
He has rejected the idea in the past, but said at the fan forum on Saturday that it is a possibility.
“Traditionally, we have always tried to play a Super Bowl in a city of NFL. That’s always been kind of a reward for cities that have NFL franchises,” Goodell said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game to an international venue. “But things change. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell floated the idea by outlining a plan that could include playing 16 international games each year if the regular season is expanded to 18 games. Sunday morning’s match between the Jaguars and the Bears It will be the second game in London in two weeks and the third in the league outside the USA this campaign.
The commissioner added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a match soon. He appointed Rio de Janeiro as a possible new host and said the Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play in London during the renovations of their stadium in Jacksonville.
He Super Bowl of this season – the 59th edition – will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, the Levi’s Stadium in Saint Clare, Californiawill host, followed by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Californiain 2027. The victory of Kansas City by 25-22 in overtime San Francisco in the Supper bowl Most recently it was the most watched program in the history of American television.
Team owners have already authorized up to eight international matches, but Goodell said they could double that number, creating a scenario in which all 32 teams could play one international match each year.
The key is to expand the regular season by one game and reduce the number of preseason games to two.
“If we expand our season – our regular season – to an 18-and-2 structure, I see 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week on the calendar.
“A lot of that depends on whether we can continue to make the game safer, whether we can continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason, as well as training camp and the regular season, so that these guys feel comfortable to play in that period of time,” Goodell said.
In that scenario, he added, the season would begin around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents’ Day, the third Monday in February.
Moving to 18 games is considered inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to a deal before the current labor agreement expires after the 2030 season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell stressed that the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.”
Dublin has been seen as the likely next venue, after Madrid have its first match in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we are going to play in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it will be soon,” Goodell said at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible venue for the next match in Brazil. São Paulo hosted one this season.
Londonwhich could have a night game at some point, has hosted regular season games since 2007, Germany from 2022.
“We are looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia,” Goodell said. “There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
In this report, information from The Associated Press.
