With the NFL season set to kick off tonight, it seems like a good time to remind everyone about a very significant rule change made during the offseason with the Lions-Chiefs ready to battle it out.
In May, NFL owners approved a change that will now see the ball placed at the 25-yard line if it is fair caught behind the 25-yard line after a free kick (safety or kickoff). Before the rule change, the ball would be placed at wherever the fair catch was made. The change is only for this year as of now.
“The kickoff play for us has been a play that has had a lot of changes for us over the years, all really driven by health and safety,” McKay said, via SI.com. “The concussion rate on the play has gone up. It’s gone up because the ball is being returned more by kicks that are being hung inside the 5-yard line. College made this rule change in maybe 2018 or 2019. We looked at their data and said, you know what, this is the right thing to do now.”
A player can call for and take a fair catch at the one-yard line and advance the ball all the way out to the 25-yard line, giving them an automatic 24 yards without having to put himself or others in danger. It would also cut down on big hits that sometimes lead to fumbles and changes of possessions.
Let’s see how this latest rule impacts the game..
