During the final day of the annual league meetings, NFL owners ratified the proposed changes to kickoffs, as first reported by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The new setup will be used for the 2024 season before being re-assessed, SI’s Albert Breer adds. 
The proposal set to be reviewed by the league’s Competition Committee and later all owners was finalized last week. While it was not termed to be an ‘XFL-style’ setup, the proposed alignment essentially mirrored that which the spring league used in recent seasons. The Competition Committee unanimously approved the proposal (with a slight tweak to touchbacks in one instance), setting up today’s final vote.
As Mark Maske of the Washington Post notes, though, questions remained regarding whether or not owners would vote during the March meetings or delay a decision until May. Further lobbying from those in support of ratification was believed to be needed overnight, with The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler reporting five additional ‘yes’ votes would be required to achieve success. In the end, the final tally was 29-3, per Jones.
All rule changes require 24 votes to pass, so support for the ‘hybrid’ kickoff setup was more than strong enough to attain ratification. As Jones notes, the three ‘no’ votes came from the Packers, Raiders and 49ers. Several coaches and special teams coordinators have voiced trepidation over the substantial alteration which will now take effect, though, which comes as little surprise given the sweeping nature of the changes. 2024 will be marked in large part by the success (or lack thereof) of the new setup in increasing return rates while also reducing the high-speed collisions which make kick returns the most dangerous play in the game.
The new rules – summarized effectively ahead of the vote by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington (video link) – had the backing of commissioner Roger Goodell. The 2023 campaign (during which fair catches for kickoffs were introduced) saw a continuation of the downward trend of returns, punctuated by the first ever Super Bowl in which every kickoff resulted in a touchback. A substantial change should be expected for next season.
As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, NFL return rates dropped to a record-low 21.7% last year. The XFL, by contrast, had a rate over 90% with its setup over the two-year run which preceded its merger with the USFL. Seifert adds the NFL special teams coordinators who crafted the proposal are aiming for a return rate of at least 80% in 2024. Reaching or even approaching that figure would result in a notable spike in special teams action compared to recent years.
When this came out, I remember reading a comment here that it’s ironic that D Hester made a strong portion of his HoF resume on kickoffs & now that’s gone. Accurate statement.
The game became specialized. I wonder how many players would be left standing if they had to play 3 different positions like Sammy Baugh did back in the 40s.
I agree and thought of Devin Hester too. Hester was crazy good returning punts and kicks.
“NFL Owners Approve Kickoff Proposal”
>Doesn’t explain what the new kickoff rules are
Facts lmao
Agreed… but watch this video. A good explanation:
link to twitter.com
One question that has not been answered is what happens on onside kicks now?
Explained here…
link to twitter.com
Here’s the answer:
Onside kickoffs will be the same process/set up as before.
Teams will have to declare that they are going to do an onside kickoff before hand.
So, it will be even harder for an onside kickoff to be successful.
Yes and no. Yes in that it wouldn’t be available as a trick play earlier in the game, but no for the expected situations late in the game because usually teams know it’s coming.
Pros
I like shortening the distance lining up on the 40 and 30
Cons
I don’t like the touchback starts at 35 when out of bounds starts at 40. #1 priority should be safety. The safest option penalizes kicking team for no reason.
If it lands inside target zone rolls into touchback start at 25. Stupid.
If we are trying to create excitement have kicker kick it 65 yards during kick off. If kicker makes a fg it’s counted as a safety and awarded 2 points or as an extra point and counts as 1
Long field goal attempts are just as exciting especially late in game when you’re down. Say team is down 3. Do you go for onsides do you attempt the 2 pointer? Do coaches go for 2 point conversation and attempt a 65 yarder?
Lot of rules and regulations would need to be hash out but makes more sense than the touchback and target zone rules.
I’m surprised that the players don’t have say in a rule change of this magnitude. If this specific change will reduce injuries, I would not expect the players to object to it, but I would have expected that they have a say.
It’s up to the NFLPA to be the voice of the players. They can object to any rule change they feel jeopardizes the health or safety of players.
90% of kickoffs will still be kickers trying to make a field goal from ~75 yards out. Touchback City.
Let’s just make the entire game ‘safe’ –
Winner / loser decided by flip of coin – best 2 out of 3
Rock, paper or scissors – best 3 out of 5
Everyone is safe and everyone gets a trophy!
So do they let the guy catch the ball then blow the play live? Also, if you’re doing a pause until the ball is caught why not just keep the “redlight” on and let the kicking team swap the kicker for another player.
The way I understand it is no players, but the kicker and 2 kick returners can leave their designated area until the ball has been touched by one of the returners.
It seems this is so they can get their bearings and start the return with everyone 20+ yards away.
They will then reach the opponents’ kickoff defense team before they can reach a dangerous speed to tackle them.
The KO Def will also be easier to block as the return blockers are lined up just 10 yards away and have no need to retreat back to the return man, as he is already in motion and probably halfway to where they’re blocking.
Essentially, this sets up blocking at a line of scrimmage type formation, like regular offensive plays.
I think it’s going to lead to a sh-tload of KO return TDs.
One step closer to the carnival being shut down for good.
Have less men on the field it’ll be safer
I don’t care for soccer but they don’t change the rules every single year and officiating is really fairly consistent.
The NFL however, just can’t help themselves with at least 1 to 2 rule changes each year.
You clearly don’t watch soccer
Ultimate net effect: every ST coach gets a raise
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is number 1 at the box office and that is not a surprise.
Kid from Oregon State Gould HIs draft stock just FLEW upwards with the new kickoff rules.!!!!
40% of the broadcasts will now be explaining the new kickoff rule and why a flag was thrown. The rules analysts better get versed on this one and fast.
On an even crazier outcome of the meetings is the not so surprising Christmas Day Double Header on a Wednesday.
I will assume based on the fact that Tuesday is used as the trade deadline day following week 9 games, that the Wednesday games would be the first games of Week 17 (12/25-12/30). Will the 4 teams playing get a week 16 Bye or will they all get back-to-back National Exposure by also playing on 12/21? Or will the all about player safety NFL make teams play on 12/22 and 12/25 because they needed the money?