The Pittsburgh Steelers finally return to the field on Sunday, and they will play their first game of the 2024 season. With two matchups completed already throughout the NFL, each seeing massive viewership numbers, the anticipation for kickoff has reached its peak. This season comes with storylines galore for both the league and its teams as each look to grow the game across the world, as well as to modernize professional football in a way that hasn't been done in decades.
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Steelers' QB Russell Wilson preparing for the season kickoff in Atlanta.
Several new rules have been added this offseason in an effort to make the game safer for the players and more enjoyable for the fans. Of the changes, the league's new kickoff rule stands out as potentially the most important to learn in an effort to take advantage of. With the lack of production in special teams in seasons prior, the NFL adopted a change that will encourage teams to field kicks and put the ball in play.
Upon the creation of the rule, the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson, and has since tried out several players at the position in hopes of finding a consistent answer. Ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Head Coach Mike Tomlin discussed the early impacts and expectations he has in regards to the new kickoff regulations.
"To be honest with you, I expect to see some touchbacks... Although it's exciting, there are still some questions that remain in terms of personalities and so forth."
The Steelers will be looking for a spark to guide them toward another Week 1 victory, but not at the expense of potential disaster. Tomlin would go on to mention that despite the ability to create a big moment, it may not be worth injury or a turnover to fight for the little yardage this change has created.
"When you look at the average start point of the preseason I think it was around the 28 [and a half] yard line. There's a lot of risk management decisions fighting over that yard and a half that's associated with spotting the ball at the 30. I think globally you'll see a lot of teams air on the side of caution and not compete for that yard and a half, and kick touchbacks and spot the ball on the 30."
Though the dynamic kickoff rule had success in the preseason with 70.5% of the kicks being returned, the new rule hasn't worked well in the limited regular season games played thus far. Through the first two games of the NFL regular season, the new rule has created all of five returns averaging about 23.8 yards per return.
It'll be interesting to see what sort of formula or play design will be employed throughout the league to find success in the game's often forgotten third phase, but if Tomlin's comments hint anything, it's that the Steelers have no plans to be aggressive kicking off the football on Sundays.
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Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (middle) speak with an official prior to a regular season game in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Need Some Dynamic Play Against Atlanta
With the aspirations an organization like the Steelers has, there will be plenty of intrigue in Week 1. Both the Falcons and the Steelers had sub-optimal ends to their 2023 seasons, and have worked to rebuild themselves in a way to be competitive moving forward. Both teams brought in new play-callers and quarterbacks as they look to remedy the offensive woes that have plagued them for the past few seasons.
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Former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith stands on the sideline during a professional football game.
Plenty of buzz has surrounded the matchup when the schedule was announced, with former Atlanta Head Coach Arthur Smith now on the Steelers' sideline. However, with injuries to several key players, including Russell Wilson, beginning to arise, the excitement from the home fans has begun to grow. The offensive side of the ball has been completely overhauled in Pittsburgh this offseason, and will now get put to the test more than likely with Justin Fields under center due to Wilson's injury.
Tomlin, Smith, and the rest of the Steelers' coaching staff may be forced to rely on Fields' dynamic ability to get the win. With a plan in place to take the load off of Fields, the presumed lack of impact from special teams should be less of an issue. The black and gold will simply look to play smart football to get the win, but show the rest of the league that they can be creative in moving the ball down field.
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