Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Has anyone noticed the dramatic decrease in kickoff return numbers league-wide? From 2002-2010 the league averaged about 2,100 returns for some 46,800 yards per season quite steadily. Since then:
Season-Returns-Yards
2011-1,375-32,680
2012-1,395-32,892
2013-1,289-30,126
2014-1,226-29,124
2015-1,081-25,445
2016-1,036-22,688
Through 15 games this season, 966 returns for 20,762 yards. I don't recall when the rule was changed on touchbacks, putting the ball at the 25 instead of the 20. Would this be the only, or the primary, reason for the drop-off?

It seems like the percentage of touchbacks on kickoffs has been creeping up over the years. This would make sense due to the stronger kicking legs which we see in longer and longer field goals being kicked over the last ten years or so.

They changed the kickoff being from the 30 to the 35 before 2011 . . .

Reaser wrote:They changed the kickoff being from the 30 to the 35 before 2011 . . .

The decrease in kickoff returns is one of the reasons I feel the NFL product is being diluted. Kickoff returns can be some of the more exciting plays in a given game, and touchbacks add nothing. Yes, injuries occur on kickoff returns, but that's part of the game. My enjoyment of NFL football will decline even more if a targeting rule comes into play.