Steelers' AFC North Rival Believes The Two Teams Share A Strong Similarity That Will Significantly Help In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL are going to have to adjust to the new kickoff rule during the 2024 season, which is the most dramatic change to the game in recent memory. Teams used to kick the ball off from their own 35 yard line, and the ball would usually land in the end zone, resulting in a touchback, or the returner would choose to catch it and take the ball out. Now, the kicking team and returning team will be lined up five yards apart, which makes it interesting to see how teams come up with strategies to attack this new wrinkle of the game.

In recent years, since the NFL made a touchback bring the ball out to the 25-yard line, there hasn't been much strategy involved in the kickoff or kickoff return game. Most of the plays resulted in touchbacks, which made the play pretty much useless. 

Entering 2024, the play may become a little bit more interesting. With the players lined up so close together, coaches need to think more carefully about what type of plays they want on the field. Pass rushers could be effective to get through blockers, but so can speed to go around the blockers. 

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh recently spoke about the new rule, and shared his thoughts on how it will effect the game. He also spoke about how Pittsburgh and Baltimore are now at an advantage since they run a 3-4 defense, and how it might effect roster construction.

"It's really subtle and very good point because you don't have to run as much on kickoffs and kickoff returns. The 4-3 teams would always have a little bit of an advantage on special teams in those phases because they had one more guy that was a runner. The odd teams, like us and Pittsburgh, were a little bit disadvantaged because those big outside 'backers weren't those space-runner type of guys. Now, those big outside 'backer-type guys are going to be more valued because they run five yards, but their length and their strength is going to be a big part of that play. We're kind of looking forward to seeing how that plays out, but that's going to be a big part of our evolution with the play, I guess you'd say."

A team running a 4-3 defense has four down defensive linemen, and three inside linebackers, a Mike, Will and Sam. A 3-4 defense has just three down defensive lineman, two outside linebackers, and two inside linebackers. When a team runs the 3-4 they keep more pass rushing, outside linebackers on their roster, who weren't really helpful when it came to running 40 yards down the field to make a play on kickoff. 

This put team's running that defense at a disadvantage. Now, these players don't need to run as far and can use their pass rushing abilities to get through blockers on kickoff. 

Steelers Could Keep More Pass Rushers On The Roster

When it comes to trimming down the roster to the final 53 men for the regular season, the last few guys that make the cut are often chosen because of their ability to provide depth at their natural position, but also to make an impact on special teams. 

Typically you would see teams keep an extra corner or receiver like Miles Boykin, that could be used as a gunner for the punt unit, while also being able to run down the field on kickoff to make a play. Now, that one extra roster spot could go to an outside linebacker or athletic defensive end who could make a difference in the game with the new kickoff rules.

The Steelers are put at an advantage with the new rule because they already expect to have a lot of these athletic, long, physical bodies on their roster who could make an impact on kickoff. Therefore the new rule isn't forcing them to make any sacrifices with the way they construct their roster. Fans probably shouldn't expect to see TJ Watt or Alex Highsmith on kickoff, but you could expect to see a guy like Nick Herbig make a name for himself in the third most important phase of the game.