Titans GM Carthon: Preseason Will Be Learning Curve for NFL Special Teams and New Kickoff Rule

The NFL changed its kickoff rules to encourage more returns. Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon says "the preseason is going to be very important for us ... to figure out how we're going to be able to execute that play for us to start the game, because it's really going to be the first offensive snap."

Dec 3, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) returns the / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon said first-year Titans special teams coordiantor Colt Anderson's busy offseason will include teaching players the new kickoff rule for the 2024 season.

"We're changing the structural way in which you do a play that we've never had before in our league. So, the preseason is going to be very important for us, more than anything, to figure out how we're going to be able to execute that play for us to start the game, because it's really going to be the first offensive snap."

The NFL's Competition Committee last week approved a fundamental change in kickoffs in hopes of encouraging more returns.

Here are the key elements of the new rule:

• The kicker is still at his 35-yard line, but he is alone on his side of the field. The remaining 10 players of the kicking team position themselves on the receiving team's 40-yard line.
• The return team must have at least nine players in the "setup zone," between their 35- and 30-yard lines. Seven of those players must be lined up on the 35.
• Only the kicker and the returner can move until the ball arrives in the "landing zone," so named because the ball must land or be caught in that area between the receiving team's goal line and 20-yard line.
• If the ball is kicked into the end zone and not returned, it will result in a touchback, but the ball will be placed at the 30-yard line — compared to the previous touchback rule of the 25, a 5-yard penalty for the kicking team. If the ball is kicked out of bounds, it will be placed at the 40.
• The league hopes there will be returns on 50-60 percent of kickoffs, which would be a significant increase from last season's 21 percent that prompted the rule change.

Carthon said he wants a dynamic returner, but ideally a player who also can contribute on either offense or defense.

"This league is all about the more you can do. You only get 53 roster spots, and you get the two elevations. So, whoever we decide to be our returner, hopefully they can bring more than just returning unless they're just flat-out dynamic. If they're Devin Hester or Dante Hall or one of those guys, we'll gladly take them. But we'd love for them to do a little bit more. And I think with the new change of the kickoff rule, it's going to be an adjustment period for everybody."

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