The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL are constantly trying to improve the game to make it better for the casual viewer. This includes improvements to rules to protect the players, while also making the game more efficient and exciting. However, player safety and excitement do not go hand-in-hand. Years ago, the league decided the kickoff play was one of the unsafest in the game, and the NFL made adjustments to make the return team want to take the touchback and avoid the return. Now, the league is trying to do the opposite.
The NFL introduced the dynamic kickoff during the 2024 season, and overall it seems like the change was a success. The goal of the change was to encourage returns, but the way each side lines up limits the high impact that was present on the kickoff plays before. There is a landing zone that the ball needs to land in to be, which eliminates short, sky kicks. The two sides cannot move until the returner touches the ball inside the 20, and touchbacks were brought out to the 30-yard line.
Immediately after this new rule was enacted, Pittsburgh went out and signed Cordarrelle Patterson, who has a good chance of eventually being inducted into the Hall of Fame thanks to his superb career as a returner. However, he is nearing the end of his career, and he didn't have the burst during the 2024 season that Pittsburgh had hoped for. He needs to find a way to improve, as do the Steelers overall, because more returns are coming in 2025.
Patterson had the worst return average of his career, and the Steelers finished dead last in the NFL in that regard. It is an area where the team clearly needs to improve, which is why many fans are shocked that Patterson is still on the roster. He seemed like an obvious cut-candidate after the season concluded thanks to his $3.7 million cap hit.
More returns is not good at all for the Steelers. The team has struggled on both sides of the play. The organization was obviously last in average length of their own return, but Pittsburgh also gave up over 100 yards on the play in six separate games during the 2024 season. If the kickoff unit struggles in 2025, Pittsburgh may have to opt for the touchback every time which would set the opponent up at the 35-yard line.
It will be interesting to see how Head Coach Mike Tomlin and special teams coordinator Danny Smith decide to approach this play during the 2025 season. It was clearly a weakness for the team in 2024, and now that flaw will be highlighted even more.
Steelers Should Have Smith On The Hot Seat
Smith is beloved in Pittsburgh, and that is mainly due to his high levels of excitement whenever his unit makes a big play. The blocked kicks and punts over the last couple of seasons have been spectacular, but the constant struggles in the return game are a devastating issue. If the Steelers cannot produce good returns themselves without giving up spectacular returns to the opponent, the team will constantly be starting behind the eight ball.
The Steelers benefit from some of the new league rules, but this one will hurt them. Pittsburgh needs to find a way to fix this area of the game, whether that be a personnel change or a scheme fix.
