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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.
The goal of the newer rules is to both make kickoffs safer and allow for more exciting kickoff returns. Prior to the last few seasons, kickoffs were heavily criticized. They were the most dangerous plays in football, with players running into each other at full speed. When the fair catch rule was tweaked, teams mostly elected to fair catch to keep everyone healthy. This change should allow returners like the Seahawks’ Shenault to thrive.
The Seahawks already have one of the best special teams units in the league. It’s no surprise that making special teams a point of emphasis was one of their key goals in the offseason.
Seahawks’ status for 2024
After a surprising run to the playoffs two years ago, the Seahawks came back down to Earth last year. They weren’t a bad team, no. However, they weren’t able to sustain the same play they had from last year. They had a 9-8 record, but were unfortunately unable to make it to the postseason. It was a brutal reminder of how tough their division (and the NFC in general) can be.
Now, Seattle is coming into the 2024 season with a new face at the helm. Pete Carroll surprisingly stepped down from his post as the Seahawks’ head coach last year. Leading the team in 2024 is former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. It’s a fascinating season for Seattle, as they try to toe the line between building for the future and competing now.
As for Shenault, he’s far more likely to get snaps from the special teams than the offense. Most of the retooling that the Seahawks did were on defense. The offense is still mostly intact: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba form a solid core, with Jake Bobo slotting in at a respectable WR4. Shenault will be taking over kick return snaps from DeeJay Dallas, who amassed 440 yards last year on returns alone.
More must-reads:
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