Kickoff returns will be resurrected in the NFL.
League owners approved Tuesday the adoption of new regulations that will transform what had become in recent seasons “a routine game” into a true part of a football match.
“This is a big day for the NFL,” said New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who was closely involved in the development of the new rules.
This major transformation in special teams — which has been in the league’s pipeline for years already — will borrow elements of the XFL’s kickoff rules, modifying certain aspects in preparation for the 2024 NFL season . The regulations will be tested for one season, before being eligible for renewal for 2025.
NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay said the new rules were passed 29-3 by owners.
McKay said Monday that there was an urgency to decide on this regulation before the draft since it could have an impact on the teams’ rosters. If this new rule had been in effect last season, then 1,970 calls for immunity on kickoffs would have been kickoff returns.
“It’s good for our sport,” said Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who is one of three coaches on the eight-member committee. The intentions are good, and I really appreciate the time and effort put into this by the special teams coordinators in order to allow this game to regain its former glory. »
“The value of punt returners is going to explode,” added Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel.
How it works ?
For a traditional kickoff, the ball will be kicked from the 35 line and the 10 coverage players will be set up at the 40 line, five on each side of the field.
The team receiving the ball will have nine blockers who must be in a “buffer zone” between their 30 and 35 lines, and at least seven of them must touch the 35 line at the time of the kick sending. Two returners will be able to patrol the field inside their line of 20.
Only the kicker and two returners will be able to move before the ball lands or is touched by a returner inside their 20 line.
A punt that lands in the end zone may be returned, or the receiving team may claim immunity and begin its offensive sequence from its own 30. A punt that lands in the end zone and goes out of bounds of the field will also result in immunity and the team which receives it will begin its sequence in attack from its line of 30.
If the ball touches a returner or lands in front of the end zone before finishing its journey in it, then the receiving team can choose between requesting immunity and starting its sequence in attack from its line of 20 or even attempting a punt return. Any kick taken inside the bounds of the field, in front of the goal line, must be returned.
Upgrading special units
“It’s a radical decision that will completely change the dynamic,” said Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who previously served as special teams coordinator. Is this the right decision? I do not know. We’ll have to see. »
Under current rules, any request for returner immunity means that the team receiving the ball will begin its offensive sequence from its 25 line.
“This is our chance to re-evaluate special teams,” McKay said Monday, after calling the current kickoff a simple routine play. Special teams have been a part of the sport since its conception. And, if you eliminate the kickoff then, in our minds, you completely abolish special teams and transform this phase of the game into a simple punt. »
The proposal needed the approval of 24 of the 32 owners to pass.
“I’m all for it,” Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. We have 2000 routine games. Nobody likes that. It will add novelty and dynamism. »