NFL owners can't make up their minds on the kicking game, so hey, why not try something new — again?
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That appears to be the case, as the league is looking at potentially changing how kicks are handled. Frankly, it is one thing that should be changed. Kickoffs have become totally worthless.
"The kickoff proposal would be the most significant on-field rule change for the NFL in years and is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining return rates while also lowering concussion rates," ESPN wrote. "In essence, the committee's proposal would move the majority of the kicking and return teams downfield to minimize high-speed collisions. If approved by at least 24 of 32 owners, the rule would go into effect for one year only."
So yeah, the NFL is trying to find a way to curtail major tackles and blocks — or more specifically, injuries — on kickoffs.
The new rules on kickoffs would be very similar to the ones used by the XFL during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. (The XFL has merged with the USFL, by the way, to become the UFL.)
Basically, kickers would continue to kickoff from the 35-yard line under the new rules, but the other 10 players would line up at the opposing team's 40-year line. At least nine of the players on the receiving team would line up in a "set-up" zone between the 35- and 30-yard lines.
Then either one or two kick returners could line up in the "landing zone" between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
"No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the landing zone," ESPN wrote. "Touchbacks would be marked at the 35-yard line and no fair catches would be allowed."
Those are pretty big changes, but many suspect the NFL will go through with them when the competition committee meets next week.
With the way kickoffs have gone recently, why not? If you're going to have them, make them count for something.
