Before the NFL season began, the NFL competition committee met in Indianapolis and apparently talked about maybe adopting the XFL’s kickoff structure.
For the proposed rule change to be implemented, 24 votes would be needed. According to the Washington Post, the NFL temporarily instituted a rule last season that permitted fair catches on kickoffs.
In the XFL, kickoffs started at the 30-yard line of the kicking team. Receiving team blockers would line up on their own 30-yard line, while players from the kicking team would line up at the receiving team’s 35-yard line.
The kicker and the returner were the only players permitted to move until the ball was caught or three seconds after it touched the ground. The ball was moved to the kicking team’s 45-yard line on kickoffs that went out of bounds or missed the receiving team’s 20-yard line.
When the ball enters or bounces into the end zone, it results in a touchback. The receiving team takes possession at the 35-yard line if the ball clears the end zone without coming into contact with the ground. The receiving team’s possession begins at the 15-yard line if the ball bounces into the end zone.
Teams also have the option to ask for an onside kick, which has to go at least 10 yards but not more than 20. Instead of kicking off, teams can opt to try the 4th-and-15 option, which would allow them to keep possession of the ball if it is successful.
Why, therefore, is the NFL proposing this modification? to increase kickoff returns and reduce fast-moving collisions.
Just 22% of kickoffs in 2023 were returned, and none of the 13 kickoffs in Super Bowl LVIII saw any returns. The league wants to increase returns without raising the rate of concussions because kickoff-related concussions were the impetus for recent rule changes.
The Rams had a difficult season in kick returns last year; they failed to score any touchdowns in this area of the game and finished last in the league with a meager 16.1 kick return average.
In the 2023 season, the Rams lost to the Baltimore Ravens 37-31 in overtime after allowing a punt return touchdown that ended the game. Three weeks later, in a 26-25 victory over the New York Giants, they gave up another punt return for a touchdown.