Since the 2016 season, a kickoff resulting in a touchback has resulted in the receiving team starting its ensuing possession on its 25-yard line. But if a punt results in a touchback, the offense still starts on its own 20.
But that may be changing soon.
Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk reported on Thursday that “the Competition Committee is proposing a change to the starting yard line of the offense after a touchback on a punt.”
“Under Playing Rule Proposal No. 14, the ball will be put in play at the receiving team’s 25-yard line when a touchback occurs on a punt,” the report said. “The Competition Committee cites competitive equity, consistency and player safety as reasons for the change. It will take the approval of 24 owners to approve the rule change. Otherwise, the starting position of the offense following a touchback on a punt will remain the 20-yard line.”
It’s worth mentioning that this wouldn’t come into effect nearly as often as changing the line of scrimmage after touchbacks on kickoffs would.
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher led the NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs in 2022 with 78. By contrast, Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Jake Camarda had more punts result in touchbacks than any punter in the league last season. He had 10. In all, 38 kickers had at least 11 kickoffs that produced a touchback, while only 30 punters had more than one end in a touchback.
Moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line on kickoffs changed the game. It made return men less likely to take a ball out of the end zone. It also made kicking teams more likely to kick the ball high and short. Making the same rule with punts would have some impact on the game.
