The NFL is slowly changing. One of the biggest rules implemented this season is the new kick-off rule. The format has completely changed, allowing for more explosive plays while greatly reducing the risk of injury. It’s forced teams to adjust their special teams strategies. Not to be outdone by the rest of the league, the Seattle Seahawks’ offseason moves were partly motivated by this move.
One of the Seahawks’ moves in the offseason was to sign former Jackson Jaguars and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault. Why would the team that’s relatively set at WR sign another receiver that might get buried down the depth chart? Well, John Schneider said that the Shenault signing was partially motivated by the new kick return rules, per Brady Henderson.
“Schneider said the new kickoff rule — which should result in teams using two returners at once — was one of the primary reasons the Seahawks signed Laviska Shenault Jr. “He’s a great returner and really powerful dude. Like Dee [Eskridge], he has that explosive feel to him.””
NFL’s new kick-off rules: a refresher
The NFL is adopting a new set of rules for kick returns that is modeled from the XFL’s kickoff rules. The short version is that except for the kicker, the kicking team will line up closer to the return team. Both lines may only move once the returner fields the ball. Additionally, fair catches are completely eliminated.
