The National Football League’s owners approved new kickoff rules they basically stole from the XFL in a Tuesday vote during the owners’ meetings in Orlando, according to multiple reports.
The format keeps the kicker at the 35-yard line but will place all remaining players at the 40. The players will not be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or an opposing player. The return team will have to place at least seven of their players in the “set-up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard markers. Return teams can also have up to two returners in the “landing zone” between the goal line and the 20-yard line, according to NFL.com.
Kicking off a new era: Owners just approved the NFL Hybrid Kickoff rule, per source.
After years of tweaks turned one of the game’s most exciting moments into a “dead, ceremonial play”, the league hopes this overhaul will yield what it wants: fewer injuries and more returns. pic.twitter.com/jHLAjZJm0z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 26, 2024
The new rules also state that kickoffs that land in the landing zone must be returned — meaning no fair catches between the goal line and the 20-yard line. Kickoffs that hit the landing zone and roll into the end zone must also be returned or downed by the receiving team. If downed by the receiving team, they would receive the ball at the 20-yard line. Touchbacks will be moved up from the 25-yard line to the 30, according to NFL.com.
Kickoffs that land short of the landing zone will be treated similarly as kickoffs that go out of bounds and the receiving team will get the ball at the 40, according to NFL.com. (RELATED: Will Muschamp Thinks College Football Could Embrace The XFL Kickoff Rules)
The rule, which passed in a 29-3 owner’s vote, will be implemented exclusively for the 2024 season and then re-evaluated.
The rules are an effort to bring back the kick return after the NFL Nerf’d the play in an effort to reduce concussions. Following the implementation of a new fair catch rule in 2023, the league saw a significant decrease in kickoff returns.
Here’s what the new NFL kickoff will look like this season: pic.twitter.com/vtR5bqGZLK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2024
Now, in the same week that the league banned the controversial hip-drop tackling method, the league takes steps to implement a rule that highlights entertainment value over player safety in a rare overture to fans. While the new method doesn’t seem any more dangerous than previous iterations of kickoff adjustments, it is certainly refreshing to see a move that might actually lead to more football being played, not less.
But either way, this new format, in addition to the hip-drop ban, is going to make gameplay look very different next season. We’ll all undoubtedly get used to it, but there will of course be the commensurate tweets and broadcaster comments “now remember, this year the kickoffs are going to be a little different …” yeah, yeah, we get it Collinsworth. Just kick the ball and make the guy go fast.