Each offseason, owners, general managers and head coaches of NFL franchises are invited to a large meeting to discuss the future of the league. That includes those of the Las Vegas Raiders. This year, there were two major question marks surrounding the “Tush Push” and the overtime rules.
But we now have answers.
Both teams will now receive a possession in overtime during the regular season regardless of what the team who won the coin toss does on their opening drive. The “Tush Push”, on the other hand, will remain a staple in the Philadelphia Eagles offense.
Owners also approved a change to kickoffs. If the kicking team forces a touchback, the ball will now be placed at the 35-yard line. This change was made as a means to stop kickers from kicking the ball out the back of the end zone, therefore increasing the rate of kick returns, which was down to 32.8% last season.
The Raiders finished their ’24 campaign as the fifth-best kick returning team. They averaged 29.6 yards per return in 2024.
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Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon has put the weight of kick returning on Ameer Abdullah. Last season, No. 22 returned nine kicks for 296 yards. He recorded an exhilarating 68-yard return against the Chiefs in week 13. Signs do not show that Abdullah will be returning to Las Vegas in 2025.
Dylan Laube is now the leader of Sin City’s kick return group. In his rookie campaign, the New Hampshire alum totaled 164 return yards on six attempts. Because returns will be more common, Sin City needs to invest in another returner.
McMahon has been the head of the special teams unit since 2022. In the meantime, the Raiders’ kick return prowess has taken a leap forward each season. However, this may be McMahon’s first season without a veteran returner.
If history repeats itself, Sin City will sign a veteran return specialist before the season begins.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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