The NFL Competition Committee reportedly met in Indianapolis ahead of the new league year to discuss rule changes, including Sunday kickoffs.
The committee may propose changing the kickoff to more closely resemble the 2023 XFL, The Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter. This rule requires 24 votes to become law. The NFL changed its rules last season to allow fair catches on kickoffs. However, the Washington Post reported that this rule was only in place for one season.
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Dameon Pierce (31 years old) of the Houston Texans celebrates his touchdown on the first half kickoff return during the game against the Cleveland Browns held at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 24, 2023. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“My view is we have to protect the kickoff of the game,” Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay told the newspaper. “And in order to do that, we have to find a way to modernize it and get that play back on track, because that 20% return rate is not what it was designed for.” [fair catch] rule. “
In the XFL, kickoffs were taken from the kicking team’s 30-yard line. Members of the kicking team line up at the receiving team’s 35-yard line, and blockers from the receiving team line up at their own 30-yard line. Only the kicker and returner may move until the ball is caught or until 3 seconds after the ball hits the ground. If the kickoff goes out of bounds, or the receiving team’s he does not reach his 20-yard line, move it to the kicking team’s 45-yard line.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
A touchback occurs when the ball reaches or bounces into the end zone. If the ball reaches the end zone without touching the ground, the receiving team gets the ball at 35. If the ball bounces into the end zone, the receiving team gets the ball at 15.
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Teams can request an onside kick. The distance must be at least 10 yards and no more than 20 yards. The team can also choose the No. 4 and his No. 15 option instead of kicking off. If they convert, they keep the ball.
“We have to be open-minded enough to say, ‘Can we put plays that are out of the game back into the game? And if we can do it in a creative way, we should look at that.’ added Mr McKay.
Tre Flowers of the Atlanta Falcons holds the ball during a kickoff after a safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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It’s unclear what parts of the XFL’s rules the NFL Competition Committee was considering. The XFL merged with the USFL this year to form the United Football League.
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