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Say goodbye to NFL kickoff returns.
Well, at least, say goodbye to kickoff returns as you know them.
The NFL had already essentially phased out the play with tweaks to kickoff rules, but the league made a massive change to the rule on Tuesday that will change the way kickoffs work entirely.
The NFL just passed a new kickoff rule that will look like this, per @AdamSchefter
pic.twitter.com/VcQs7QrSto— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2024
So, what exactly is the new rule? Well, let’s break it down for you.
- The kicker will still kick the ball from his own 35-yard line.
- His teammates will line up on the other team’s 40-yard line.
- The receiving team’s nine or 10 blockers will line up on their own 35-yard line.
- One or two returns will be back to field the ball
- Kicks must land between the receiving team’s 20-yard line and the goal line.
- Once fielded, or if the ball hits the ground, players from both teams may begin play
- A kick that either goes out of bounds or lands short of the 20 will be awarded to the receiving team at the 40-yard line.
- A kick that goes into the end zone for a touchback will go out to the receiving team’s 30-yard line.
Got all that? Of course you don’t! Because it’s a lot!
But basically, any ball that goes into the end zone is now a touchback out to the 30-yard line, rather than the 20. Balls that are fielded between the 20-yard line and the goal line can be returned, at which points the coverage team and return team can begin play.
The goal of the change is to continue to promote kickoff returns while limiting the danger of players running full speed at one another from at much as 40 or 50 yards away.
In all honesty, it makes a lot of sense.
The XFL had already been using the new kickoff rule.
But it’ll undoubtedly be jarring to see the new rule in action. Hopefully, it becomes more normal with time.