Every year there are new rules set in place that are meant to encourage players’ safety. After all, the NFL is one of the most violent leagues in the world of sports. Players put their bodies on the line, and there have been many injuries that have led to rule changes.
The NFL is now proposing a brand-new rule to team owners to be voted on next week that will change the way that teams kickoff and receive the ball. According to a press release from NFL Operations, the 2023 season saw the least amount of kickoffs being returned.
This has led to a new proposed rule change, which would completely alter the way that teams receive a kickoff.
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To address the lowest kickoff return rate in @NFL history during the 2023 season and concern for player health and safety, the NFL Competition Committee has proposed a new kickoff rule.
If adopted by NFL clubs, the new rule will keep the excitement of kickoff returns in the… pic.twitter.com/0ltQpSrAvC
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 22, 2024
The new proposed NFL kickoff rule begins with the kicking team lining up on the 35-yard line, which is a rule that remains the same. However, what is drastically changing is how the receiving team will treat the kicked ball.
The kicking team will have 10 players line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Conversely, the receiving team may have a minimum of nine players line up between the 30 and 35-yard line known as the “set up” zone.
This is to not only stop the kicking team from having to spring longer distances resulting in injury. The nine players of the receiving team are also meant to give their kickoff returner enough time to escape the new “landing zone.”
Should the ball be caught or land between the “landing zone” which is the goal line and 20-yard line, it must be returned by the receiving team. Should the ball bounce from the landing zone into the endzone, the receiving team would need to attempt to return it or down it for a touchback sending the receiving team to begin play at the 20-yard line.
If the ball happens to not hit the “landing zone” and is instead short of the 20-yard line, the receiving team will begin their possession on the 40-yard line.
If the ball should be kicked and land in the endzone through the air, the receiving team can attempt to return it or down it to start their possession on the 35-yard line.
If the ball is kicked out of bounds, the receiving team starts at the 40-yard line.
The new rule would also effectively take out the “fair catch.” No team can call for a fair ball in the landing zone or the endzone any longer.
Onside kicks will now be permitted in the fourth quarter and will have to be announced to officials ahead of the kick happening.
Should a penalty occur on the kick, the set up and landing zones will not change. The only thing that will change is the spot where the kicking team will kick from.
The NFL rule change will not go into effect unless 26 of the 32 owners agree to the change. While the kickoff and punt return aren’t the most exciting aspects of football, this would help to jumpstart that excitement.
Gunners having to cover the length of the field would also not be subject to being as injured. At least, that would be the hope.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.