NFL Considers Kickoff Rule Adjustments and Replay Assist Expansion for 2025

Proposed changes include tweaks to kickoff touchback and onside kick rules, alongside expanded use of replay assist for certain penalty reviews.

The NFL Competition Committee is evaluating two potential kickoff rule changes: moving the touchback spot to the 35-yard line or moving the kickoff spot back to the 30-yard line.
The dynamic kickoff rule, introduced in 2024, increased kickoff return rates to 32.8%, up from 21.8% in 2023, while also reducing injuries.
Alternative options for onside kicks, such as a fourth-and-15 or fourth-and-20 play, are under discussion to improve success rates, which have remained below 10%.
Replay assist may be expanded to review objective aspects of penalties, though subjective calls and retroactive penalties are not being considered.
Any proposed rule changes will require approval from 24 of the 32 NFL teams during the annual league meeting in late March.