The NFL has once again rejected an alternative to the onside kick, despite a proposal by the Eagles for a new rule that would allow teams to line up their offense on the field on fourth-and-20 instead of kicking off. Under the proposed rule, teams that scored a touchdown or field goal would have had the option to take the ball at their own 20-yard line and face a fourth-and-20. If the scoring team converted the fourth-and-20, they would keep possession of the ball.
Despite this latest rejection, competition committee chairman Rich McKay stated that discussions about more onside kick alternatives will happen in the future. He acknowledged that there is resistance to changes in traditional rules but emphasized that these discussions will continue as part of ongoing efforts to improve player safety and make football more enjoyable for fans.
The NFL’s primary concern moving forward is deciding what to do with the kickoff itself, as it has undergone significant changes over the years and has made recovering onside kicks almost impossible. The league is currently contemplating a shift towards a low-impact kickoff rule similar to what was previously used in the XFL. However, no alternatives to the onside kick have been approved yet.
As such, it remains unclear whether any changes to onside kick rules will be implemented before the 2024 season begins. For now, football fans can expect business as usual when it comes to kicking off during games.
