As Super Bowl 60 approaches, all eyes are on the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, with much of the focus on their dynamic return specialists. For nearly six decades, the NFL’s grand finale has seen every type of touchdown imaginable—except for a punt return score. With talented players like Rashid Shaheed of Seattle and New England’s Marcus Jones, this year might finally witness a historic breakthrough.
A Rare Opportunity Awaits
The Super Bowl has a rich history filled with remarkable touchdowns, starting from the inaugural game when Bart Starr connected with Max McGee for the first-ever score. Since then, 323 touchdowns have been recorded in the championship clash, yet none have come from a punt return, a statistic that surprises many, including Jones, who expressed his eagerness to change that narrative.
“I just got educated about that,” Jones stated. “Being able to be the first one in history to do that would mean a lot.” Both Jones and Shaheed have three career punt return touchdowns, with each player scoring once this season. Shaheed admitted he initially guessed there had been at least two punt return touchdowns in Super Bowl history. “That’s crazy,” he said, sharing Jones’s excitement about the prospect of making history.
Special Teams Take Centre Stage
Punt returns have been somewhat of a forgotten art in the Super Bowl, with 259 attempts failing to reach the end zone. Nevertheless, the 2025 season has been heralded as a renaissance for special teams, showcasing an unprecedented number of game-altering plays. The season set records for long field goals, blocked kicks, and a substantial uptick in punt return touchdowns, hinting at a more significant focus on this often-overlooked aspect of the game.
There were 44 blocked kicks this season, the most since 2017, while 73 field goals were successfully converted from 55 yards or more—an NFL record that underscores the vital role special teams have played in recent games. “It’s been fun. You have to embrace it and find ways to beat it,” remarked Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.
Key Players to Watch
While quarterbacks like Drake Maye and Sam Darnold dominate headlines, it is the special teams unit that may ultimately sway the outcome of the Super Bowl. The Seahawks, led by special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, excelled this season, ranking first in expected points added through special teams, averaging nearly four points per game better than the league average. In contrast, the Patriots find themselves in the middle of the pack, but with a game-changer like Jones, they cannot be overlooked.
“He has the very best of what a lot of returners have put together,” Harbaugh commented on Jones. The Seahawks have already demonstrated their special teams prowess, with Shaheed’s contributions crucial to their playoff success, including a pivotal punt return touchdown that sparked a comeback against the Los Angeles Rams and another return in their divisional round victory over San Francisco.
The Importance of Special Teams Strategy
The strategic acumen of both teams’ special teams coordinators cannot be understated. Harbaugh has crafted a unit that not only performs but thrives on exploiting opponents’ weaknesses. “You can tell they have a belief among their special teams group that they’re going to go out there and dominate,” Springer noted, highlighting the confidence that drives the Seahawks’ players.
While New England’s special teams may not have been as dominant, their capacity for game-changing plays, illustrated by their three return touchdowns and a crucial blocked kick in the AFC Championship, positions them as a formidable opponent.
Why it Matters
As the Seahawks and Patriots prepare for their showdown, the potential for a historic punt return touchdown adds a thrilling layer to Super Bowl 60. This game could redefine the narrative of special teams in the NFL, a facet often overshadowed but increasingly vital in determining outcomes. With both teams featuring explosive returners capable of changing the game in an instant, the 2025 season may finally witness a moment that rewrites history, capturing the imagination of fans and players alike.
