Kevin Seifert, an ESPN Staff Writer with a rich background in covering the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings, brings over two decades of experience to his reporting. Having joined ESPN in 2008 after stints with the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times, Seifert’s expertise shines through his work. A University of Virginia alum, he’s also active on Twitter under the handle @SeifertESPN.
In a significant move at their annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, NFL owners have given the green light to a groundbreaking overhaul of the kickoff play. This decision, reached after three days of intensive discussions, adopts a format first seen in the XFL. This change, the most notable on-field rule modification in recent NFL history, aims to boost the declining rates of returns and reduce concussions. For the 2024 season, this new setup will be implemented on a trial basis, allowing for future adjustments.
Under the new rules, while kickers will still launch the ball from the 35-yard line, the rest of the kickoff team will position themselves at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. The return team will have at least nine players in a “setup zone” between their 35- and 30-yard lines, with up to two returners waiting in a “landing zone” from the goal line to the 20-yard line. This arrangement is designed to cut down on high-speed collisions by bringing the majority of players closer together downfield.
A key aspect of this new format is that no player, aside from the kicker and returners, can move until the ball either lands or is caught within the landing zone. Touchbacks will now be placed at the 30-yard line, and fair catches are no longer permitted. Teams wishing to attempt an onside kick must declare their intention, thereby eliminating the element of surprise with these plays.
This innovative proposal is inspired by the XFL’s approach but with slight modifications in player alignment. The XFL’s setup, which saw players line up even further downfield, resulted in over 90% of kickoffs being returned during its two seasons. NFL special teams coaches involved in crafting this new rule aim for at least an 80% return rate in 2024.
The motivation behind these changes is clear: to mitigate concussions without sacrificing the excitement of kickoff returns. Despite previous rule adjustments aimed at reducing returns—and by extension, concussions—the rate of concussions per kickoff has remained steady, even as the number of returns has plummeted.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed his support for the new rule, highlighting the importance of special teams plays in the game and welcoming the increased emphasis on them.
In addition to the kickoff rule revamp, owners also approved three other rule changes, including a ban on the swivel hip drop tackle technique, a modification allowing teams a third challenge after one successful challenge (a proposal put forward by the Lions), and a rule addressing double fouls during possession changes.
This story, enriched by contributions from ESPN’s Stephen Holder, marks a pivotal moment in NFL history as the league continues to evolve and prioritize player safety without compromising the game’s integrity and excitement.