Overview
- Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the president “doesn’t even know what he’s looking at” when criticizing the revamped kickoff.
- Trump denounced the rule on The Pat McAfee Show on Nov. 11, calling it “terrible,” “demeaning,” and not safer, after attending a Commanders–Lions game earlier this month.
- The NFL says the format is safer and generates more returns, reporting an 81.3% return rate after five weeks of the 2025 season.
- The permanent rule has the ball kicked from the 35 with the kicking team held at the receiving 40 until the ball is touched or hits the ground in the landing zone.
- Owners voted this year to make the dynamic kickoff permanent after a trial run, and the league has continued to defend the change.