In a significant move that promises to revitalize a crucial aspect of football, NFL team owners have greenlit a transformative rule change, breathing new life into kickoff returns. This decision, aimed at reinvigorating what had become a stagnant part of the game, was shared with The Associated Press by a source who wished to remain anonymous, as the league has yet to make a formal announcement.
Drawing inspiration from the XFL, the NFL has meticulously crafted a new set of kickoff rules, set to debut in 2024. This innovative approach, which will undergo a trial period of one season before a decision is made on its permanence in 2025, is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of special teams play.
The revamped rule outlines a standard kickoff scenario where the ball is launched from the 35-yard line, with the coverage team positioned at the opposing 40-yard line, evenly split on either side of the field. The receiving team is to have a minimum of nine blockers within the “set up zone,” stretching from the 30- to the 35-yard line, with at least seven players making contact at the 35-yard line. Additionally, up to two returners are permitted inside the 20-yard line.
A unique aspect of this rule is that only the kicker and the two returners are allowed to move before the ball either touches the ground or is caught by a returner within the 20-yard line.
In scenarios where the kick sails into the end zone, teams have the option to execute a return or opt for a touchback, granting them possession at the 30-yard line. Should the ball exit the field of play or the end zone in the air, it similarly results in a touchback at the 30. Conversely, if the ball contacts a returner or the ground before reaching the end zone and then enters it, a touchback places the ball at the 20, or the team may choose to return the play. Any kick received on the field must be returned, marking a departure from the existing rule where touchbacks or fair catches in the field of play see the ball placed at the 25-yard line.
Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL Competition Committee, emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “This is our chance to keep special teams in the game.” He lamented the current state of kickoffs as a “dead play” and argued that eliminating kickoffs would virtually erase special teams, reducing their role to merely handling punt plays. The proposal secured the necessary 24 out of 32 votes to pass, signaling a new era for special teams in the NFL.