Over the past few years, NFL owners have been working on reducing the number and severity of injuries from the once-exciting NFL kickoffs. Kickoffs have always been a great chance for a team to make a big splash play during a comeback or for young players to showcase their skills. This New XFL-style kickoff will hopefully reduce injuries while keeping the game exciting.
How The New Kickoff Will Look
Here’s what the new NFL kickoff will look like this season: pic.twitter.com/vtR5bqGZLK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2024
The new NFL kickoff will allow the receiving team to have one or two returners. If they opt for only one returner, they will be given an additional blocker at the 30-yard line. The kicking team will have all but their kicker lined up at the opposing team’s 35-yard line (as shown above). The hope here is to drastically reduce injuries while still giving the team a chance to return the ball for significant yards or, better yet, a touchdown.
If you have watched a football game, chances are you’ve seen an injury during kickoffs. Former Bills tight end Kevin Everett was one of the scarier kickoff injuries to memory. Although the kick returner will still be able to get up to full running speed, defenders will be less likely, meaning the initial impact between the two parties will hopefully reduce injuries.
More Blockers, More Speed
With a different style of kickoff comes a different style of returns. Teams will need to adjust their special teams players to help fit the style of return they hope to see. We will see many more shifts in players based on how the kicking teams approach this new rule. Do they send out faster players to beat the blockers or players used to the trenchers to shed blocks and create a wall or a combination? It will be exciting to see how each team handles the situation from week to week.
The New NFL Kickoff Will Be A Test Run
The new NFL kickoff rule is only a one-year test run. NFL owners will decide to keep it if players, such as pro bowlers Marvin Mims Jr. and Rashid Shaheed, are able to keep the game exciting. If they find that viewers find the new rule pointless or not entertaining enough, they will find a new solution or forfeit future changes.
About the Author
Meet Bobby, a dedicated LA Chargers fan with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. By day, he teaches, sharing his passion for the game with students. Bobby is a self-proclaimed fantasy football wiz. Whether in the classroom or cheering on his Chargers, Bobby never misses a chance to talk football.
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