Former Steeler Vince Williams Critical Of New NFL Kickoff Rule For 2023

In a move that has not seen much of a positive reaction from Pittsburgh Steelers' players and the rest of the league, the NFL has decided to make a major change to kickoffs for the 2023 season. The new rule allows kickoff return specialists to call for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line, leading to the ball being placed at the 25-yard line for the start of the offensive drive. This essentially allows all kickoffs to end in a touchback, which will significantly decrease the amount of kickoff returns we see. Former Steelers' linebacker, Vince Williams, is the most recent to speak out about the rule change. 

Ever since the league made the announcement about the change, we have seen many players and coaches speak out about how it will ruin a large part of the game of football: special teams. Steelers wide receiver and return specialist, Gunner Olszewski, recently announced his dislike for the rule change. And now, former Steelers' are even upset because of the changes happening in the NFL. 

Williams stated that many players make teams at the end of training camp due to their ability to be effective on special teams and special teams is where most late-round draft picks and undrafted free-agents are able to show their worth. Williams tweeted his opinion.

"The recent NFL kickoff rule is disappointing. Late round special teamers will have a hard time proving their worth. Personally, I signed a decent ST [special teams] contract that allowed me to improve my linebacker skills. Kickoff was where I had some of my most memorable moments." 

Had Williams not been given the opportunity to shine early in his career on special teams, specifically on kickoff, he might not have been the staple part of the Steelers' defense that he was throughout the mid - late 2010s. 

Williams' Impact On Steelers Special Teams Unit Throughout His Career

Williams was a sixth-round pick in the 2013 draft, which meant he was not expected to be a starter right away. Williams was on the depth chart as a backup until the 2017 season when he became a fulltime starter, meaning he spent a lot of his playing time on special teams until 2017. 

Williams' impact on special teams was seen throughout his career. In a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the divisional round of the 2016 NFL season, Williams rushed down the field on kickoff to hit a young Tyreek Hill at just the 12-yard line. Hill later discussed the hit and the effect it had on him.

"The hardest hit I ever took in the league was probably my rookie year. Vince Williams from the Pittsburgh Steelers...he made me not want to do kickoff return no more."

Williams was sixth-round pick that many fans would not have gotten an opportunity to see play if it hadn't been for his role on special teams. He was able to make one of the NFLs' most elite and dangerous return specialists of the last decade question his role in the NFL. These are the moments and potential starting players the NFL could be taking away by making this rule change. 

Williams is not the only former Steelers' linebacker who got his start on special teams. Longtime Steeler, Lawrence Timmons also began his career with the Steelers as a special teamer and ended up being the Steelers' primary linebacker through the 2016 NFL season. Unlike Williams, Timmons was a first round pick for the Steelers. 

The team knew he was a big part of the future, however he did not start his rookie year in 2007. He still managed to play in every game that season thanks to special teams. Timmons was a part of the linebacker group that won Super Bowl XLIII and recorded five tackles in the victory. 

Williams and Timmons' careers show that special teams is not something the NFL should be trying to eliminate from football. It creates many jobs and opportunities for players to show their worth to a team.

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