Kickoff Revolution Reshapes NFL's Special Teams Landscape

In the 2025 NFL season, the third phase of the game—special teams—has taken center stage. Kickers are experimenting with innovative "knuckleball" kickoffs to avoid touchbacks, leading to a surge in blocked field goals and a record number of 50+ yard field goal attempts.

Just last March, Florida State kicker Ryan Fitzgerald showcased his ability to "knuckleball" kickoffs, impressing NFL scouts. This new technique, which involves altering the tilt and strike point of the ball, has become a valuable weapon as the league recently changed the touchback rule to give offenses the ball at the 35-yard line instead of the 30.

Through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season, teams like the Panthers and Rams have leveraged these unpredictable kickoffs to rank among the league leaders in opponent starting field position. Meanwhile, the number of blocked field goals and punts has more than doubled compared to last year, with some blocks directly deciding game outcomes.

Special teams coordinators have been at the forefront of this evolution, experimenting with new schemes and techniques to gain an edge. Titans coach John "Bones" Fassel says this season has sparked "new levels of intellectual curiosity and creativity" around the kicking game. Texans coordinator Frank Ross even developed a "feedback loop" with his players to tailor their special teams units to their specific abilities.

As the importance of field position and special teams continues to grow, the future of the NFL's third phase looks increasingly dynamic and unpredictable. Kickers are becoming more athletic, and coaches are allocating more practice time and roster spots to special teams. This revolution is just the beginning, as the league embraces the strategic value of the often-overlooked third phase of the game.