Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
NFL Owners Approve a Radical Overhaul to Kickoff Rules
STEVEN HEADSHOT 1
By Steven Sanchez
Published 8 months ago on
March 26, 2024

Competition Committee approved a new rule for kickoffs at the NFL owners meetings. (AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ORLANDO, Fla. ā€” Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.

Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become ā€œa dead playā€ and make it an integral part of the game again, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced the change.

The major overhaul to special teams ā€” which has been in the works for years ā€” takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.

NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said Monday there was urgency to vote on this rule before the draft because it could impact the way teams structure rosters. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns.

McVay: ‘It’s Good for the Game’

ā€œI think itā€™s good for the game,ā€ said Rams coach Sean McVay, who is one of three coaches on the eight-member committee. ā€œI think all the intentions are in the right direction, and Iā€™m really appreciative of the time and effort that the special teams coordinators have put in to try to be able to keep this play relevant in our game.ā€

For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, with five on each side of the field.

The return team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the ā€œset up zoneā€ between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or was touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received in the field of play would have to be returned.

ā€œItā€™s a drastic kind of move thatā€™s going to be way different,ā€ said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coordinator. ā€œIs that the right move at this time? I donā€™t know. I think thatā€™s to be determined.”

Under current rules, any touchback ā€” or if a returner calls for a fair catch in the field of play ā€” results in the receiving team getting the ball at its 25.

The proposal needed 24 of 32 votes to pass.

ā€œIā€™m all for it,ā€ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. ā€œYou have 2,000 dead plays. Nobody wants to see that. Itā€™ll add excitement and newness.ā€

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Why Cranberry Sauce Is America’s Least Favorite Thanksgiving Dish – and 5 Creative Ways to Use It

DON'T MISS

ā€˜Get Somebody Else to Do Itā€™: Trump Resistance Encounters Fatigue

DON'T MISS

Anti-Vax Activists Dominate RFK Jr.’s HHS Transition Team

DON'T MISS

Wing ‘Wizard’ Harry Potter to Play for Australia’s Rugby Team. Let the Puns Begin.

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Middle School Girls, Staff

DON'T MISS

Two Fresno, Clovis Trustee Races Remain Tight. Bond Measures Passing with Growing Margins

DON'T MISS

Richardson Close to Cementing Northeast Fresno Council Race

DON'T MISS

Visalia Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Walnut Avenue

DON'T MISS

DOGE Is a Promising Step Toward Federal Efficiency: Fareed Zakaria

DON'T MISS

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

UP NEXT

ā€˜Get Somebody Else to Do Itā€™: Trump Resistance Encounters Fatigue

UP NEXT

Anti-Vax Activists Dominate RFK Jr.’s HHS Transition Team

UP NEXT

Wing ‘Wizard’ Harry Potter to Play for Australia’s Rugby Team. Let the Puns Begin.

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Middle School Girls, Staff

UP NEXT

Two Fresno, Clovis Trustee Races Remain Tight. Bond Measures Passing with Growing Margins

UP NEXT

Richardson Close to Cementing Northeast Fresno Council Race

UP NEXT

Visalia Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Walnut Avenue

UP NEXT

DOGE Is a Promising Step Toward Federal Efficiency: Fareed Zakaria

UP NEXT

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

UP NEXT

UN Expert: Myanmar’s Desperate Military Ramps Up Attacks Including Beheadings, Rapes and Torture

Steven Sanchez,
Entertainment/Sports Writer
Steven Sanchez, a resident of Clovis, graduated from Buchanan High School in the class of 2007 and obtained his film degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Steven is a multifaceted artist, working as a filmmaker, writer, photographer, videographer, and published author. He has a profound passion for movies, comic books, and rock ā€˜nā€™ roll. A dedicated football enthusiast, he cheers for the Las Vegas Raiders. In his leisure time, he indulges in reading and collecting vinyl records. Steven is often found attending rock shows in town, a keen enthusiast of live music. He holds a special fondness for his grandma's homemade meals and spending time with his twin sister.

Wing ‘Wizard’ Harry Potter to Play for Australia’s Rugby Team. Let the Puns Begin.

2 hours ago

Tulare County Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Middle School Girls, Staff

13 hours ago

Two Fresno, Clovis Trustee Races Remain Tight. Bond Measures Passing with Growing Margins

13 hours ago

Richardson Close to Cementing Northeast Fresno Council Race

13 hours ago

Visalia Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Walnut Avenue

14 hours ago

DOGE Is a Promising Step Toward Federal Efficiency: Fareed Zakaria

15 hours ago

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

15 hours ago

UN Expert: Myanmar’s Desperate Military Ramps Up Attacks Including Beheadings, Rapes and Torture

15 hours ago

Christine Pelosi Leads Charge to Ensure Every Vote Counts in Tight Duarte-Gray Race

15 hours ago

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

16 hours ago

Why Cranberry Sauce Is America’s Least Favorite Thanksgiving Dish – and 5 Creative Ways to Use It

There is always that one dish on the Thanksgiving table – overlooked while the mashed potatoes and gravy steal the spotlight. Surprisi...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

Why Cranberry Sauce Is America’s Least Favorite Thanksgiving Dish – and 5 Creative Ways to Use It

2 hours ago

ā€˜Get Somebody Else to Do Itā€™: Trump Resistance Encounters Fatigue

2 hours ago

Anti-Vax Activists Dominate RFK Jr.’s HHS Transition Team

2 hours ago

Wing ‘Wizard’ Harry Potter to Play for Australia’s Rugby Team. Let the Puns Begin.

Jason Mitchell, 43, of Strathmore, was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill students and staff at Strathmore Middle School. (Tulare County SO)
13 hours ago

Tulare County Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Middle School Girls, Staff

13 hours ago

Two Fresno, Clovis Trustee Races Remain Tight. Bond Measures Passing with Growing Margins

13 hours ago

Richardson Close to Cementing Northeast Fresno Council Race

14 hours ago

Visalia Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Walnut Avenue

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend