What was the reasoning behind the new touchback to the 25 rule?

[achiro]

Im sure it's been discussed but I haven't heard why.

[bluedogok]

Player safety, making a touchback potentially more valuable than trying to return the ball and not getting it to the 20. That is the reasoning that I read.

[Statalyzer]

The rule committee needed to justify it's own existence.

[Curly Bill]

The rule committee needed to justify it's own existence.

This is prolly the best answer.

[OUinFLA]

As blue said
I believe it was the overall number of injuries on kickoff returns.
They reasoned that the tackles on kickoff returns were the most violent as players had the time to develop the most velocity towards each other.
Thus, move the kickoff up 5 yards resulting in more kicks into the endzone, reward the offense for taking a knee with spotting on the 25 rather than the 20. Hopefull result, less injuries.