The NFL's revamped kickoff rules have made onside kicks all but worthless. Now the league may finally be ready to pull the plug and try something new, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
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According to Florio's many sources, the idea of replacing the onside kick with a 4th-and-13 play is back on the table this offseason. The concept's been floating around for over a decade.
It was originally pitched by Rutgers coach Greg Schiano after former player Eric LeGrand suffered a catastrophic neck injury during a kickoff return.
The league's been tweaking kickoff rules ever since, all in the name of player safety. But after the full kickoff overhaul in 2024, onside kicks have become nearly pointless.
Recovery rates are under 8 percent. Surprise onside kicks are basically dead. Comeback attempts are nearly impossible.
Still, the 4th-and-13 idea isn't getting a warm reception from everyone.
Some coaches and execs are skeptical. They worry it favors teams with elite QBs.
One head coach didn't mince words when asked to pick between the onside kick or the 4th-and-13 option. "Is it possible to say I absolutely hate both?" he told Florio.
There's a chance the league tweaks the onside rules instead. But the longer this drags on, the louder the calls for a clean break will get.
