The Super Bowl LVIII has been successfully concluded, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the game saw the gradual elimination of kickoff returns.
This Super Bowl marked the first in which there were no kickoff returns. The 49ers and the Chiefs played without returning a single kickoff, as per Pro Football Talk.
The game saw thirteen kickoffs but all of them were touchbacks. The league, however, has altered the regulations to reduce the frequency of players colliding during kickoff returns. Subsequently, opting for an increase in touchbacks.
This Super Bowl LVIII saw the outcome of the altered regulations aimed at players’ safety. The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell has also shared that he wants to keep the kickoff in the game.
According to NBC Sports, he shared, “I thought this rule was necessary for the one year because we need to innovate. To find a way to keep the kickoff in the game. It’s an exciting play, it’s important for us, the same as punts, but when you see a higher injury rate for that play, you can’t ignore that.”
The league is also looking into the regulations through which the kickoff can be kept in the game without the play leading to more injuries. The Super Bowl LVIII has ended without a kickoff return and with time, it will be seen how the play makes its comeback and relevance in the league.
