The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s best special teams units last season — but there’s one glaring area where they struggled, and a new rule could make it a bigger problem in 2025.
Under the league’s revamped kickoff rules, the ball will now be spotted at the 35-yard line after a touchback. The change is meant to encourage more returns, and many coaches across the NFL are expecting return rates to spike to 70–75 percent this season. For Detroit, that could spell trouble.
Last year, the Lions gave up an average of 31.1 yards per kickoff return — one of the worst marks in the league. Only the Colts, Titans, and Cardinals allowed more. While Detroit ranked near the top in most other special teams categories, this particular stat stood out in a not-so-good way.
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp is embracing the change and understands what it means: if returns become the norm again, teams will need to be much sharper in coverage.
“This year… statistically, it’s saying, ‘Okay, we need to return the ball.’ Or if you’re on kickoffs, they really dictate the play,” Fipp said. “You need to kick it off and force these guys to return it.”
The Lions only returned 15 kickoffs all season in 2024, but that number could jump significantly — on both ends — in 2025. That means Detroit has to tighten up quickly or risk giving away valuable field position every week.
With the Lions expected to contend again this season, improving that one weak link on special teams could be the difference in a tight game.
New Kickoff Rule Could Expose Lions’ Biggest Special Teams Weakness
