Kick-Flip: NFL Overhauls Kickoffs

03/27/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Players & Fans React as NFL Overhauls Kickoff Rules, Bans Hip-Drop Tackle & More at This Week’s Owners Meetings

NFL owners continue to meet this week in Florida, and the overhaul of football continues. Yes, those 32 billionaires who own your favorite team(s) are calling the shots on new rules, safety protocols and trade deadlines — not the NFLPA. Multiple changes are coming in 2024 after owners votes solidified major changes to the kickoff format, hip-drop tackle and the trade deadline. The new kickoff format feels like a 50/50 response (good/bad), but the hip-drop ban will be a conversation topic all next year, and maybe for years to come. Let’s digest some of the new rules.

 

NFL Rule Changes

 

New Kickoff Format: X(FL) Marks the Spot

The NFL’s new kickoff format will mimic what’s been tested by the XFL in recent years. The kicker will tee up the ball from the 35-yard line with the kicking team’s players lined up at the opposing 40 — 25 yards in front of the kicker. The return team will line up behind their own 35-yard line. That’s just five-to-ten yards of separation between the walls of defenders and blockers. The kickoff has historically been the most dangerous play in football due to high-speed collisions. This will turn kickoffs upside down. Here’s an example.

 

Banning the Hip-Drop: But How?

While the kickoff rule has pros and cons, most agree that it’s worth trying. The hip-drop tackle ban (announced Monday) is a different story. Defensive players and the NFLPA are irate over the new rule that will penalize tacklers for “dropping their weight” when tackling a player from the side or from behind. It’s a good idea, in theory, to try and protect offensive players from injury, but the application could be disastrous. Fans can expect to see an influx of flags on tackles that would’ve been viewed as “clean” in the past. I’m not sure how you tackle a ballcarrier from the side without dropping your weight (unless he’s stationary). Players weren’t happy.

 

The Trade Deadline: After Week 9

Owners also approved a new rule to move the mid-season trade deadline back one week. It used to be the Tuesday after Week 8. This will give teams one more week to iron out their playoff identity (contender or rebuild) before making deals. Overall thoughts? Eh.

 

Extra Challenge: Hit 1, Get 1

Another new rule impacts challenges for coaches. In the past, coaches could challenge two calls per game and sacrifice a timeout if the challenges were unsuccessful. If both were successful, they would gain a third challenge. Now, a coach only needs to be successful on one challenge to get a third rewarded.

 

The owners are reportedly still in Florida through the end of the week, so we might see more rule changes. Overall takeaways? Expect weird kickoff adjustments and more flags (red and yellow) in 2024. Good luck, tacklers.

 

Read More

NBC Sports: NFL Approves New Kickoff Format

SI: New NFL Trade Deadline Could Be More Exciting Than Ever

Yahoo! Sports: Why is NFL Banning Hip-Drop Tackle, And What Does That Even Mean?

 

Photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images