The NFL Competition Committee Mulls Over XFL Kickoff Format, Potential Rule Change

The NFL’s kickoff rules could see further adjustments in the upcoming offseason, with discussions revolving around the adoption of elements from the XFL kickoff format. According to NFL Network’s Judy Battista, the Competition Committee has extensively deliberated the XFL kickoff and is contemplating proposing a modified version of it for a vote at the Annual League Meeting scheduled from March 24-27.

Chairman of the Competition Committee, Rich McKay, expressed caution regarding the potential change, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation before presenting any proposal. The objective behind considering alterations to the kickoff rules is to strike a balance between player safety, particularly reducing high-speed collisions, and preserving kickoff returns as an integral part of the game.

In a temporary adjustment approved by NFL owners in May 2023, returners were permitted to fair catch any kick behind their own 25-yard line, resulting in the ensuing possession starting at the 25. However, the frequency of kickoffs being returned remained low, with touchbacks dominating the scene, as observed in Super Bowl LVIII where all 13 kickoffs ended in touchbacks.

Troy Vincent, NFL executive VP of football operations, anticipates a proposal to amend the kickoff rules at the upcoming league meeting, aiming to avoid reducing kickoffs to mere ceremonial plays.

The XFL kickoff model features the kicker starting from the 30-yard line while the kickoff team lines up at the opposing 35-yard line, with a 5-yard buffer zone separating them from 10 members of the receiving team. This setup contrasts with the current NFL kickoff format, where both teams are positioned at the 35-yard line, allowing movement once the ball is kicked.

However, any alteration resembling the XFL model would necessitate significant approval, requiring 24 votes in favor. McKay stressed the importance of considering reinstating plays that have faded from the game’s landscape, indicating that special teams coaches would contribute to formulating the proposed changes.

Additionally, the committee is deliberating on issues like hip-drop tackles and the “tush-push” play, with a consensus emerging to eliminate hip-drop tackles from the game, although the precise language of the rule change is still being refined. NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller expressed optimism about phasing out hip-drop tackles, highlighting the league’s commitment to player safety.