Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith has a lot on his plate with the NFL's new kickoff rules that will debut in 2024. There have been small changes over time to the kickoff, but none this drastic. There's no exact replica of what the NFL is implementing, but some football leagues have a similar format and it's Smith's job to see how teams from other leagues have used it to their advantage.
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Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (middle) speak with an official prior to a 2021 regular season game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
The NFL based the new kickoff format off of the XFL's. The new in which both teams line up in the returning team's territory just five yards apart was first modeled by the XFL in 2020. There are small differences between the NFL and XFL's kickoff rules, but it will look extremely similar.
Being that this is just a one-year trial for the NFL, there's a possibility that the league decides not to move forward with it in future seasons and everyone looks back on 2024 as the one strange season with weird kickoff rules. However, it's here and teams will have to adapt. Smith spoke to the media in a video posted on the Steelers' YouTube channel and was asked a few questions about the new kickoff rules. He wasn't just paying attention to the XFL.
"No, I watched Europe as well," Smith said.
Smith said that Europe has a similar format to the XFL. Not quite the same as the NFL, but it's important to see as many teams as possible using different techniques to use the format to their advantages. The new kickoff is going to look completely different for returners as well. Hang time is now obsolete and kick returners will need to adjust to that.
"It's going to be interesting for [kick returners]; it's new to them as well. Just the catch of the kick is new. Hang time is out of the game. You can hang that thing six seconds, ain't nobody going nowhere you know, really, so it's a waste of time. So now you're getting line-drives, you're getting balls on the ground, you're getting different catches."
The Steelers signed veteran return man Cordarrelle Patterson in an effort to make the new-look kickoff an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Patterson has the NFL record for career kick return touchdowns with nine. The Steelers will be thrilled if he can add to that total during his time in the Steel City. Patterson will have to adapt, but he's one of the best returners the game has ever seen so he should be fine.
atlantafalcons.com
Cordarrelle Patterson was a threat on special teams, as well as a gadget option for the Falcons.
Steelers Are Doing Everything Possible To Take Advantage Of New Kickoff Rules
Smith is studying film on football league's across the world and General Manager Omar Khan went out and signed one of the greatest kick returners in NFL history. The Steelers are in win-now mode and understand that good field position it essential. Both sides of the return game play a huge role in that.
Field position felt like it was rarely in the Steelers' favor the past few seasons due to a lack in the return game, sloppy offensive play and poor punting. The Steelers got new quarterbacks and a new offensive coordinator to improve on offense, a new punter in Cameron Johnston and an electric new kick returner in an effort to win the field position battle and score more points.
TribLIVE.com
Steelers' new returner Cordarrelle Patterson is looking to have a big role outside of kick returns for the Steelers.
We'll see a glimpse of Smith's kick return plans in the preseason, but don't put too much emphasis on it as he could have some tricks up his sleeve for regular season play. Patterson could be an extremely important weapon for the Steelers in 2024.
Do you think Smith will be able to adapt to the NFL's new kickoff rules? Let us know in the comments below!
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