The Pittsburgh Steelers’ kick return department hasn’t exactly been inspiring over the last decade, as the team has struggled to make a consistent splash on special teams when it comes to explosive returns. They did rank seventh in the league in total kick return yardage as a team in 2023 with 565 yards on 24 kick returns, but they were one of the 29 teams that didn’t score a kick return touchdown last season.
The NFL’s previous kickoff setup and rules made it difficult for returners to go the distance, let alone field a kick that they could make into a notable return, as kickers would pound the ball through the end zone for touchbacks regularly.