The NFL’s new kickoff rules might change how we view special teams. However, the early sample size suggests that coaches will just ignore the rules rather than put their team in danger of surrendering a back-breaking touchdown.
The Arizona Cardinals’ DeeJay Dallas isn’t going to help matters there.
With Arizona locked in an epic battle against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon, Dallas fielded a ball from his own four-yard line in the “landing zone.” He proceeded to use that space as a launch pad to torpedo through the Bills’ third phase for an incredible 96-yard touchdown return.
Now you see why NFL coaches will likely try to ignore the new kickoff rules as much as possible:
THE FIRST DYNAMIC KICKOFF RETURN TOUCHDOWN.
DEEJAY DALLAS. 96 YARDS.
: #AZvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/COYfonnYxR— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
All credit to Dallas for capitalizing and getting a full head of steam, even if a Cardinals’ comeback attempt fell apart in the final moments. He was a bright spot in a very promising afternoon for Arizona. And he might personify a great reason why special teams coordinators will genuinely avoid putting balls in play even more than usual on kickoffs.
