After a year in which the NFL saw the fewest kickoff returns ever, the league is considering an XFL-style kickoff rule in 2024 that would put players closer together at kickoff, with the hope of allowing for more returns while being less dangers.
“Competition Committee discussed at length the XFL kickoff. A source says there could be a proposal for a March vote on a version of the XFL model as a way to address the kickoff — too few returns this season. NFL wants to keep the return in the game, while making the play safer,” NFL Network’s Judy Battista reported on Sunday.
The kickoff is one of the more exciting plays in all of football, but it has also resulted in some scary injuries. The NFL is hoping they can figure out a way to keep the play in the game, while also making it less safer.