Jaguars HC Doug Pederson's Stance on New Kickoff Rule

What does the Jaguars head coach think about the new kickoff rules?

Mar 25, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson talks to media during / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL kickoff is changing.

The NFL passed an adaption to kickoffs by a 29-3 vote this week at the annual owners meetings in Orlando; now, all 10 non-kickers on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the returning team will line up between the 30- and 35-yard lines, and a maximum of two returners can line up between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

No player other than the kicker and returners can move until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the 20-yard line. Touchbacks will be marked at the 30, and no fair catches will be permitted. And for now on, teams will have to declare their intent for onside kicks.

So, how does Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson feel about the change?

"I know something is probably going to happen. I think there was around 20 percent or 21 percent of kickoffs last year that were returned. Zero out of 13 kickoffs in the Super Bowl were returned, they were all touchbacks," Pederson said on Monday, before the rule passed.

"It’s a play that has gone away in football, but we also got to remember that it can be a high injury rate play so we’ve got to think about player health and safety and keeping our guys healthy. It’s a unique proposal. I think there’s more questions that have to be asked, and we’ll see where it goes.”

As Pederson noted, the rule change could now also play an even larger role on how teams scout receivers and other offensive players.

"It's good. You look at the top of the draft, obviously it's really good. Then there are always some guys you can find in the middle part of the draft too that can come in and help you and probably aid more on special teams a little bit. Of course, we'll see how the new hybrid kickoff rule goes later today. It's a good receiver class this year.""