The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Owners approve radical overhaul to kickoff rules for the 2024 season
Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.
Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and make it an integral part of the game again, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced the change.
The major overhaul to special teams — which has been in the works for years — takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.
NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich Mckay said the new rule passed by a 29-3 vote.
“There was a little fear of the unknown,” Mckay said. “I think the optics are definitely the most drastic (rule change) we’ve seen. The thing that gives us all the comfort is we have the tape, we’ve seen it. We can show you the plays and you can see how this can play out.”
Mckay said there was urgency to vote on this rule before the draft because it could impact the way teams structure rosters. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns. There were 92 fair catches last season that are no longer allowed. Any ball caught in the field of play must be returned.
“The kickoff returners’ value is gonna skyrocket,” Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel said.
“I think it’s good for the game,” said Rams coach Sean Mcvay, who is one of three coaches on the eight-member committee. “I think all the intentions are in the right direction, and I’m really appreciative of the time and effort that the special teams coordinators have put in to try to be able to keep this play
relevant in our game.”
For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, with five on each side of the field.
The return team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.
Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or was touched by a returner inside the 20.
Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.
If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received in the field of play would have to be returned.
“It’s a drastic kind of move that’s going to be way different,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coordinator. “Is that the right move at this time? I don’t know. I think that’s to be determined.”
Under current rules, any touchback — or if a returner calls for a fair catch in the field of play — results in the receiving team getting the ball at its 25.
“This is our chance to keep special teams in the game,” NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich Mckay said Monday, calling the current kickoff now a dead play. “Special teams has been a part of the game forever. And, if you lose the kickoff, in our mind, you really pretty much eliminated special teams and put it on a punt play.”
The proposal needed 24 of 32 votes to pass.
“I’m all for it,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “You have 2,000 dead plays. Nobody wants to see that. It’ll add excitement and newness.”
Tomlin gives Wilson `pole position'
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that recently acquired quarterback Russell Wilson is considered Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback but Justin Fields, another new addition, will get a chance to compete.
“We’re not resistant to competition, but as I’ve mentioned several times of late, I just think it’s appropriate to establish positioning . ... and the term that I’ve used is Russell has ‘pole position,’ ” Tomlin said. “And why do I use that term? Because during this time where we are not formally working, I just think it’s beneficial. His experience in the National Football League, his process has been honed and perfected.
“Talking about over a 12-month calendar, it’s not only good for him, it’s good for teams, it’s good for receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. All the things that people really committed to winning do this time of the year, Russell has those resources, that structure. And so that’s why I say he has pole position. It just creates a synergy that I think is good for this time of year. When it’s time to compete and we get in training camp-like settings and we’re going to stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin be given an opportunity to show people.”
Chargers' Harbaugh is big fan of Mccarthy
New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated that J.J. Mccarthy is the best quarterback in a draft class that’s expected to see USC’S Caleb Williams, LSU’S Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye selected before him.
Harbaugh and Mccarthy led Michigan to a national championship last season so the coach knows the QB better than most.
“They could be adulating J.J. or being booed or being hit, and then this killer comes out,” Harbaugh said. “Whether it’s good, whether it’s bad, he’s got an extra gear especially when he’s being challenge.
“And you also see the big personality and (he’ll) do anything for another guy on the team . ... He’s incredible. Big market, small market, cold weather, hot weather, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve said it before. I think he’s the best quarterback in the draft. That’s my opinion. There’s great quarterbacks in the draft. He’s the one who plays quarterbacks the best.”