The new NFL fair catch rule, effective starting with the 2023 season, allows kickoff returners who call for a fair catch inside their own 25-yard line to be awarded a touchback, with the ball placed at the 25-yard line for the ensuing drive. This rule applies only to kickoffs and was introduced to reduce injuries by decreasing the number of kickoff returns. Under this rule, if a player signals for a fair catch inside the 25, the play is immediately whistled dead, and the receiving team starts at the 25-yard line instead of the spot of the catch

. However, for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the NFL has further modified kickoff rules, including eliminating fair catches entirely on kickoffs. Under the 2024 new kickoff rule, no fair catch or fair catch signals are allowed on kickoffs; if a fair catch signal is given, the play is immediately whistled dead and penalized as an invalid signal. This change aims to promote more kickoff returns and reduce injuries by changing player alignments and limiting player movement before the ball is caught, thus reducing high-speed collisions

. In summary:

• 2023 rule: Fair catch inside the 25-yard line on kickoffs results in a touchback at the 25-yard line.
• 2024 and onward: No fair catches allowed on kickoffs; any fair catch signal results in the play being whistled dead and a penalty for invalid signal. This is part of a broader set of kickoff rule changes designed to increase returns while enhancing player safety

These changes reflect the NFL's ongoing efforts to balance player safety with maintaining the excitement of kickoff returns.