The NFL has proposed a mind boggling rule change to the onside kick and fans are losing their minds over such a crazy change. The rule would be that the league would force teams to make their opponent know when you are kicking an onside kick and that it would only be able to happen in the 4th quarter when a team is losing.
The NFL Could See Serious Special Teams Rule Changes Coming
In addition to this crazy onside rule kick changes, the NFL is considering a change to kickoffs in general as well. They may possibly go with an XFL style in which run ups is taken away completely.
“No surprises: The new kickoff rule crafted by NFL special teams coordinators would allow teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter — and require them to declare it in advance, per sources. Language still being finalized and owners must approve,” Tom Pelissero reported.
“If approved, the new rules actually should raise both the frequency and success rate of onside kicks, raising chances of a late comeback. But with the setup zone now slated to be ahead of the ball, the element of surprise goes away because a different formation is required.”
NFL Fans Are Fuming Over Possible Rule Change
Fans are not happy at all about this rule change as it would completely take away any of the surprise in onside kicks. One of the best moments in the history of the league is when Sean Payton decided to come out of half time and kick an onside kick in the Super Bowl. Many fans have taken to social media to share this disgust in the possible rule change.
“Kind of sucks though you can no longer surprise the other team like in the Super Bowl,” one fan wrote.
“I can maybe see the declaration part of this rule. I’m not sure what the rationale is for outlawing it for the first three quarters,” one fan added.
“These rules are awful,” another fan added.
“How about they just kick onsides whenever they want,” another fan added.
The rule has not been accepted by the owners yet and with the amount of distaste the rule is getting the owners may not implement it at all. If they do however, it will change the way special teams is conducted in the fourth quarter and will bring about entirely new schemes when conducting the onside kick. What do you make of this potential rule change?