By Moses Joshua 
With a new NFL rule and a more confident kicker, Detroit is gearing up to transform its special teams identity—and flip the field.
A Shift from Caution to Controlled Chaos
In 2024, the Detroit Lions took a conservative approach to kickoffs, routinely opting for touchbacks to avoid risk. That meant trusting their offense to take over at the 30-yard line, where the ball was placed after a touchback. They weren’t alone—Detroit ranked sixth in the NFL in touchback rate at 77.3%, part of a league-wide trend prioritizing field position security over explosive plays.
But a new NFL rule has shaken the strategic table. Starting in 2025, the ball will now be placed at the 35-yard line following a touchback. And that’s a big deal.
“A year ago… there was really no benefit to obviously kicking the ball off and returning it,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp explained. “But this year… there’s statistically incentive.”
That incentive? Force teams to start inside their own 30-yard line instead of gifting them the 35. The numbers alone suggest a major edge for defenses—and the Lions plan to seize it.
Trusting the Leg of Jake Bates
Last year’s conservative strategy wasn’t just philosophical—it was also practical. Rookie kicker Jake Bates was making his NFL debut, and Fipp didn’t want to overwhelm him with a complex range of assignments.
“That wasn’t necessarily his strength going into the season,” Fipp said. “We didn’t want to add a whole lot to his plate… So we kinda stayed away from some of that to help him.”
But Bates held up remarkably well under pressure, converting 26 of 29 field goal attempts, including six from beyond 50 yards. Now, with a successful season under his belt, the Lions feel confident expanding his role.
“He’s developing that part of his game,” said Fipp. “And that’s going to give us some flexibility.”
With Bates now comfortable in the NFL and actively refining his kickoff placement, Detroit is ready to tailor each kick—not just for distance, but for coverage and chaos.
Field Position as a Weapon
Fipp made it clear: the 2025 Lions are not here to play it safe on special teams.
“We’ll play a lot more on the attack,” he said. “A lot more aggressive, a lot more trying to create negative field position for those guys.”
That means more directional kicks, pop-ups, and high-risk, high-reward coverage strategies designed to trap returners before they hit the 30-yard line. Detroit is betting on the discipline and speed of its special teams unit to make those plays—and flip the field in their favor.
While most teams still treat kickoffs as low-stakes exchanges, the Lions are turning them into tactical battles. And with a refined kicker, a rulebook advantage, and a coaching staff that isn’t afraid to take calculated risks, Detroit is poised to turn one of football’s most overlooked plays into a hidden strength.
Bottom Line: The Lions are done playing it safe. In 2025, every kickoff could be a chance to strike.