NFL Tempo Shifts: Is Speed the New Strategy?

NFL offenses operated at their slowest pace in years during the 2025 season, with an average of 29.6 seconds elapsing between plays. This trend occurred despite play-callers known for fast-paced offenses. Offensive motion usage has surged, increasing from 46.2% of snaps in 2018 to 63.3% in 2025, with motion at the snap more than doubling.

Defenses have adapted by playing deeper zone coverages, such as Cover 2, and improving tackling, with leaguewide missed tackle rates dropping to 12.6% in 2025. This has led to a decrease in yards after catch and a record low of 7% for explosive runs on designed plays. Quarterbacks are throwing shorter passes, and run plays are more contained.

To combat these defensive adjustments, offenses are exploring various strategies. These include quarterbacks becoming more comfortable throwing downfield, adding venom to underneath routes, and utilizing concepts like "Flood" with multiple routes in one direction. Another approach involves increasing the tempo of play, as seen with Kliff Kingsbury's past success in not huddling nearly two-thirds of his offense's plays.

Historically, offenses like the K-Gun and the Colts under Peyton Manning utilized no-huddle strategies. Even recent teams like the Washington Commanders have employed tempo. Speeds up play can limit defensive substitutions and blitzing, as defenses blitzed less often on dropbacks in no-huddle situations (20.4%) compared to huddled plays (27.1%).

The Los Angeles Rams, notably, have reduced their huddle time significantly. Their new assistant head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, previously had success with a varied game plan that included significant no-huddle periods. This strategy allows offenses to exploit defenses caught off guard or in unfavorable personnel packages, potentially leading to bigger plays.