Giants' Michael Ghobrial: New kickoff rule puts pressure on the defense

The owners of the NFL approved a significant change to the rule of the league kick -off in April, moving the TouchBacks of the 30 yards to the 35 yards line.

League managers and special team coordinators, including Michael Ghobrial of the New York Giants, think that this will considerably increase the return rate in 2025, which was 32.8% last season.

Some people believe that the return rate could increase up to 75%, which Ghobrial would understand due to the pressure that a touchback would now put on defense.

"Really, the biggest difference in rules compared to last year was the place where the touch is now spotted, and because there have been many more football balls at stake, you did not necessarily feel what the start of the 35 yards would feel throughout the game," He told journalists on Monday.

"The only thing I would say, however, is that we hit a touchdown, that it was a deep courtyard, two meters deep, there was a touchdown where it was spotted on the 35 and you simply feel what it does to the defense, and especially with the way the boots are qualified these days, they get a first try and say that they go three and a kicker. You definitely feel the consequences of the kicks always affected, which can result in more kicks in the game this year."

The concussion rate on the yields of kicks fell 43% compared to 2023, thanks in part to the lower yield rate and the variations in spacing. And although these spacing changes maintain a minimum of high blows, a considerably increased return rate will likely lead to an increase in concussion.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Michael Ghobrial de Giants: the new kick -off rule puts pressure on the defense