NFL owners have approved a significant overhaul of the kickoff rule, aiming to revitalize the play while enhancing player safety. The new, hybrid kickoff rule, inspired by the XFL, was passed with a 29-3 vote, with the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers dissenting. This rule change, set for a one-year trial in 2024, seeks to increase the number of returns and reduce the speed and space involved in the play, addressing concerns over high injury rates under the previous format. The essence of the modification allows the kicking team, aside from the kicker, to move only after the ball touches the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone. Additionally, touchbacks will now be placed at the 30-yard line, a change from the initially proposed 35-yard line, with the NFL projecting a return rate of about 50%. This adjustment comes in response to the declining kickoff return rates and the increasing touchback rates, which soared in 2023. The league believes this change will not only make kickoffs an integral part of the game again but also lower concussion rates and bring excitement and competitiveness back to the kickoff play.
How will NFL players handle the new hybrid kickoff rule? @RealMikeRob discusses with @Mike_Yam 🔊 (via @NFLTotalAccess) https://t.co/fhKmZCLkwM
From @TheAthletic: The NFL’s new kickoff rules create one of the league’s most radical changes ever, with the hope of bringing excitement back to the play while reducing injuries. With it comes intriguing possibilities for strategy and personnel decisions. https://t.co/L2yalhPTc9 https://t.co/8ASIg7e7u9
The NFL Kickoff Rule Changes are mad confusing - so @katiestupak breaks it down. #NFL #RuleChanges #NFLUpdates https://t.co/QW5OL13xwW
No hip-drop tackle. A new NFL kickoff format. How are we feeling about the new NFL rule changes? 🤔 https://t.co/7DmaWWcBaF
New kickoff rule could dramatically alter draft boards, with teams needing the right players for both the return and coverage teams. https://t.co/FEZLchmtT6
The NFL's new kickoff will result in more returns, just Iike in the XFL, which had a 97% return rate. Only 34.4% of SEC kickoffs were returned in 2023, according to data compiled by @247Sports. The Big Ten's return rate was 38.4%. Might the new rules filter into CFB? Story👇 https://t.co/2NjLwYrolP
.@keyshawn weighs in on the NFL adopting the XFL kickoff format: “This will be exciting to see." https://t.co/0dQdhYLIcl
.@RealSkipBayless reacts to the NFL adopting the XFL kickoff format 👀 https://t.co/5l2ARAOGDe
NFL's dramatic change to the kickoff rule could create all sorts of chaos. https://t.co/h5O9LdVqKy
Steelers had reservations about kickoff rule, voted for it when it was clear it would pass. https://t.co/BwCLTXH4IF
Videos show how weird the new NFL kickoff rules will make the play look in 2024 https://t.co/kRfwBAEmiS https://t.co/p4FszD7V8U
Could the NFL's new, XFL-style kickoff play be coming to college football? Coaches are already preparing for it, they tell @bmarcello. "It'll be in college next year." https://t.co/xi3h0FRbQZ https://t.co/C2KIyRNbY6
On Tuesday, the National Football League passed a drastic and historic change to their kickoff rules, aiming to keep the play in the game while reducing injuries. Here's a summary of how they'll work: https://t.co/OT9XF7aEIH via @WGR550
A ton of rules changes have been approved the past couple of days at the NFL League Meetings. The guys on Kincade & Salciunas want to know your thoughts. Are the NFL rules changes for the better or are they for the worse - and what is your reasoning? 📸Ezra Shaw/Getty Images https://t.co/k1XhwJPIMz
NFL approves significant changes to kickoffs, hoping for more returns and better safety https://t.co/twQ1VlL4L4
SOUND OFF, LAS VEGAS! The NFL just released new rules to the game and we want to hear from YOU. Call in now or post your thoughts. Don't forget to tune to Sound Off Sports on FOX5 & @silverstsports. https://t.co/0MDc001Xia
SOUND OFF, LAS VEGAS! The NFL just released new rules to the game and we want to hear from YOU. Call in now or post your thoughts. Don't forget to tune to Sound Off Sports on FOX5 and @silverstsports. https://t.co/PQJ0R77hQS
College football will be watching NFL’s new kickoff rule closely. https://t.co/t2dk7K5zoe
The NFL passed a new hybrid kickoff rule to try to save "dying" special teams play. The hybrid kickoff setup is structured to encourage more returns and action, @PLeonardNYDN writes. https://t.co/ZqdtwBp2wb
THOUGHTS? 🏈 NFL owners were busy this week, approving a series of rule changes that address player safety, overhaul the kickoff and expand the use of instant replay. https://t.co/sls0SFelYs
Next season, the NFL will adopt a modified, safer version of the kickoff—a version pioneered by the XFL in 2020. It's perhaps the most dramatic change the NFL has borrowed from a minor league. Here's how it will work ⬇️
Wrote about the NFL’s new kickoff rule and what it means for next season The blocking on KR will be more reminiscent of OL blocking. The teams that learn best practices and get creative fastest will have a huge advantage. https://t.co/2PnuqWc0eg
Here’s a great explainer on the new kickoff and its potential impact, including personnel. Great news for returners, and maybe more “bigs” on the field than before, https://t.co/QXg5DGUcro
Watch: NFL bringing the XFL-styled kickoff into the game https://t.co/2m4PcShMiE
Put together this massive FAQ on everything I could think of regarding the NFL’s new kickoff. Some strategy and projections here as well, including a wild set of possibilities for drive starts. https://t.co/PIpyhszcir
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. https://t.co/GVuckmLTy7
The NFL’s hybrid kickoff for 2024. https://t.co/enyoNNEnSp
Just as kickoff returns become important phase of the game again. https://t.co/GDKsydjxYc
Touchback rates soared in 2023, with fewer than 30% of kickoffs resulting in returns. The NFL’s recent changes may aid player safety, but the play has become increasingly uneventful. https://t.co/p0WBtLu2ac
Kickoff returns are returning to the #NFL https://t.co/CJfsUWPsXo
The NFL’s competition committee said they want kickoffs to more closely resemble a typical play, without players gaining momentum before a collision. They also said the new rule would “provide excitement and competition in the game.” https://t.co/p0WBtLu2ac
The NFL has adopted the XFL kickoff rule. College football will watch and could soon follow. https://t.co/szXNpV8nTl
Three key factors you should know about the new NFL kickoff that was passed for the 2024 season on Tuesday …. https://t.co/TQSJ6otVwp
"Explaining the NFL's radical rule changes." (via @azbobbymac) https://t.co/ceHs5S3Muv
The kickoff will look different this year — and maybe forever. The NFL on Tuesday approved a kickoff rule that will transform how the play looks. The Bears were in favor of the change, which was approved by a 29-3 vote. https://t.co/HQLxTM1o9T
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. https://t.co/L7NQedRnJI
Radical NFL Rule Change Revives A Once-Exciting Play https://t.co/stuvHtHIdT
Kickoffs in the @NFL are going to look dramatically different in 2024 after the league approved a completely new format. But the good news is that returns should increase. My story: https://t.co/YvhAksMf3O via @reviewjournal
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. https://t.co/hMABEGnAzY
Art Rooney II said initially the Steelers weren’t in favor of the new kickoff rules, but they voted for it once it became clear it was going to pass regardless.
Art Rooney II said he initially was not in favor of the new kickoff rule but voted yes when it became apparent that it would pass.
Let's Get XTREME! The NFL Is Adopting The Kickoff Rules From The XFL To Stop Kickoffs From Being Irrelevant Wastes Of Time https://t.co/BbyCN7AJDy https://t.co/8VlCgIpg4O
Explaining the NFL's radical rule changes https://t.co/xD98Re86Dk
NFL owners approved a one-year proposal that results in sweeping changes on kickoffs and is intended to encourage more returns while limiting injuries. https://t.co/xVhj9TWcTO
Last year, only 21.7 percent of kickoffs were returned. Had the original kickoff proposal passed, with touchbacks placed on the 35, NFL expected an 80-90 percent return rate. Instead, with the touchback moved to the 30, NFL expects the return rate to be about 50 percent. Still…
The NFL Hybrid Kickoff rule passed today.. This is a BIG DEAL and this is gonna save a play #PMSLive https://t.co/SGf5j63bqU
Watch: NFL bringing the kickoff back into the game https://t.co/2m4PcShMiE
NFL owners approve radical new kickoff rule for next season -- Proposal passed 29-3 that will have 20 of 22 players within 10 yards of each other. https://t.co/wUInCY9UaQ
NFL Owners Approve Major Kickoff Rule Change As Head Injury Fears Linger—Here’s How It Works https://t.co/eAAbA4KCrj https://t.co/MB9qbNdwdZ
Bedard: NFL approves dramatic change to kickoff returns https://t.co/h4EOYEtiuy
Chris Ballard said in January that the NFL’s previous kickoff rules had basically boiled special teams down to punt, punt return, field goal and field goal block. The NFL thinks this rule will change that. https://t.co/kZ8jjlRp6F
The NFL's "Hybrid kick-off" rule passed. Here is a good example of how this will look. Thoughts? https://t.co/Z1l00rQl8J
The NFL’s new kickoff return rule is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining kickoff return rates while also lowering concussion rates. https://t.co/j9FfBnqJbO
NFL news: Teams approves major kickoff change https://t.co/FbVISOBOSv via @SilverBlakPride
2023 season: 73% touchback rate ► by far the highest in history 4 kickoff return TDs ► fewest since at least 2000 41 onsides kicks ► fewest since at least 2000 something needed to be done after the NFL neutered kickoffs this is a positive and teams that creatively… https://t.co/B0PT0b62de
The NFL kickoff is going to look very different next year 👀 https://t.co/kqbGaxypd8
Packers, 49ers, Raiders voted against https://t.co/iXUfgUBF8d
Per competition committee’s Rich McKay, the vote for the NFL’s new kickoff was 29-3.
Kickoff rule passed 29-3.
NFL kickoffs will look MUCH different next season 😳 ▪️ Kicks are still from the 35-yard line ▪️ The rest of the kicking team lines up on the opponent's 40-yard line ▪️ The receiving team lines up nine players between their 30 and 35 w/two returners https://t.co/vp3SnbzB8Q
NFL kickoff rule passed 29-3, with 49ers, Raiders and Packers voting against. https://t.co/MyOyBGATQe
A brief history of the NFL’s kickoff changes, with today’s overhaul the most drastic yet: https://t.co/og3I9yGlZH
Thoughts on #NFL kickoffs looking like this next season? 🤔 https://t.co/YZFUcw9aua
Thoughts on the new kickoff format? 💭 (🎥: @XFL2023) https://t.co/NK9vjLrn1v https://t.co/S1pKO4ZahM
The NFL's new complicated kickoff rules, where touchbacks are kinda bad, explained https://t.co/vhAeFBkXRX https://t.co/A4erry7XNS
Three teams voted against the new kickoff proposal: - Green Bay Packers - Las Vegas Raiders - San Francisco 49ers The new approved proposal is for one year only. They'll revisit everything next year to see the results. https://t.co/4UWNHvHxri
NFL owners approve massive revamp to kickoff play - via @ESPN App https://t.co/KxuJr67q2o
Here's all the info you need about the new kickoff rules, with visuals. I wrote this the other day, but since then they changed and passed the touchback spot to the 30 (not 35 as written here) https://t.co/0VAeaYuvvk
NFL owners approved a massive change to the structure of kickoffs, hoping the alignment will reduce the play's injury rate and dramatically increase the rate of returns. Initial story from Orlando: https://t.co/yhGrpNUwKF
NFL owners pass RADICAL rule change ahead of next season https://t.co/n4BU1EhtrM https://t.co/uEucGWDxaY
This is the new NFL Kickoff Thoughts? https://t.co/zPytxfFUTf
The new kickoff rule will be run on a one-year trial in 2024. There has been a lot of confidence in the overhaul bringing excitement and competitiveness back to the kickoff play. It took some laboring and fighting from various special teams coordinators, but the owners decided…
BREAKING: The #NFL has approved the new hybrid kickoff rule that will be in place just for this year, but potentially longer. New Rules: • The kicking team, other than the kicker, cannot move until the ball hits the ground or player in the landing zone or the end zone. • All… https://t.co/ymrH4RBG3Z
Huge changes coming to the NFL kickoff: Owners have voted to go with a new format for kicks, per sources. I explain what that means for the kickoff here… it’s going to look VERY different. https://t.co/c2WDjdV0iY
#Titans voted for the new kickoff rule.
The essence of the new kickoff rule is to increase returns while also reducing space and speed in the play. The old kickoff caused too many injuries. The previous change made kickoffs into a dead play. The league believes this change will create more returns + less injuries. https://t.co/MBccGIXys9
Twenty-nine of the 32 teams voted in favor of the NFL’s new kickoff. The three dissenters, per sources: The Packers, 49ers and Raiders. https://t.co/xd7byZS8Fa
!!! The NFL has approved the XFL kickoff rule. Love this. You get a lot more kickoff returns and the data has shown almost no injuries. Big day for @schwartzsteins, the guy who created it for the XFL. https://t.co/9cfFvWkHKP
NFL owners were a handful of votes away from getting the modified kickoff approved yesterday. Overnight, some minds were changed and the new-look kickoff has been approved.
NFL owners pass hybrid kickoff rule. Some fans will show up to games in September and at kickoff ask themselves, ‘what’s this?’
Vote was 29-3. Green Bay, Las Vegas and San Francisco voted against it https://t.co/IRrhWkpKe5
NFL owners will resume discussions this morning on the competition committee's revamped kickoff proposal. Likely to be approved eventually (today or during the May meeting). Yesterday, they approved a ban on swivel hip-drop tackles and 2 other new rules: https://t.co/ROwiXkx05E
THE NFL REPORT: NFL owners could vote on the new, hybrid kickoff today after initially failing to come up with votes to pass it. Vikings owner Mark Wilf explains why a change is needed. Watch the entire interview on YouTube: https://t.co/dR1AcxB1Og https://t.co/mF6JoY2she