The National Football League (NFL) is considering significant rule changes. All of these changes were designed to mitigate the concussion rates associated with kickoffs. Concussions on kickoffs last season were down an astounding 43%. Despite increasing return rates, the total number of concussions never changed. The owners are expected to approve the league’s proposed rule change. If they don’t, the touchback rate on kickoffs could increase to as high as 60-70%.
Not surprisingly, coaches seem to be trusting players more to cover short kickoffs. This is because of the opportunity lost between the touchback spot and the average return. Last year, the touchback line was at the 30-yard line and the average return was only 27.6 yards. Coach’s Call The proposed rule change to advance touchbacks to the 35-yard line would encourage coaches to make different strategic decisions.
Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, public affairs, and policy, emphasized that despite these changes, the concussion rate is expected to remain constant. What the league does acknowledge as a concern will surprise few. If the return rate does increase as expected, the concussion rate on kickoffs could dramatically increase by 2025.
Though owners approved the contagious kickoff rule last year on a one-year trial basis, the experiment’s future is still unclear. Rich McKay, the chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, noted how low return rates have fallen. He’s only waiting for these rates to increase, given the yardage disparity.
“I think they are going up substantially because of that yardage difference,” – McKay
Surprisingly, in addition to these significant changes to kickoff rules, other radical proposals are up for discussion. The Philadelphia Eagles have been pushing for increasing regular-season overtime by five minutes and guaranteeing each team a possession. At the same time, the Detroit Lions have been pushing for a new playoff seeding system that would reward teams with better records over division winners.
The NFL’s current discussions show broader concern within the league over player safety and game integrity. The league has stated its goal is to keep as much excitement on the field while reducing risks of injury. As these conversations develop, stakeholders must consider the value of any increased returns against the danger of escalating concussion rates.
“The idea was that the game being officiated from [the replay booth] changes pretty much everything and takes away the judgment that we give to officials on the field and would require substantial rework of the rules,” – McKay
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