In the NFL, you have a very difficult job if you are a defender. You can no longer tackle any player deemed defenseless, which means hitting a receiver in the act of catching, a punt returner in the act of catching a punt, or a quarterback…ever… or at least it feels that way sometimes.
This has led to multiple offensive players breaking tackles and scoring because the defender feels like they will get penalized if they go through with the tackle. There have been numerous times where a defender hits a quarterback but does not wrap up and finish the play because they are afraid of getting a roughing passer penalty.
If you thought it was bad before, the new hip-drop tackle is about to make it much worse.
NFL Players Didn’t Want the Rule Change
Some feel that the rule change is a direct consequence of an injury to Baltimore Raven’s star tight end Mark Andrews when he was injured due to a hip-drop tackle. Despite this, the NFLPA released the following statement:https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116365/mark-andrews
“The players oppose any attempt by the NFL to implement a rule prohibiting a ‘swivel hip-drop’ tackle. While the NFLPA remains committed to improvements to our game with health and safety in mind, we cannot support a rule change that causes confusion for us as players, for coaches, for officials and especially, for fans.”
Defensive players claim that this kind of tackle occurs more often because of the new rules implemented a few years ago forbidding players from tackling high or with the helmet. Now, players are saying they won’t even be able to tackle without the fear of feeling a penalty being called.
Expect a Lot of Acting and More Points
Offensive players will do their best to take advantage of this rule, and why wouldn’t they? Similiar to how players will sometimes fake a facemask when an opponent grabs around their neck, don’t be shocked if offensive players start to drop their hip while being tackled to make it look like they are being tackled illegally.
Additionally, expect more points next year. Defenders, particularly in this first year, will be extra cautious so they don’t tackle too high or too low. As I mentioned, defenders are not hitting quarterbacks anymore, allowing quarterbacks to feel more comfortable in their pockets. Despite rule changes that have shortened the game (stopping the clock less), 2023 was one of the highest-scoring seasons in NFL history. With defenders now afraid to tackle, don’t be shocked to see more broken tackles than ever before.
The Conspiracy of Rigging Games in the NFL
I’m not here to say that the NFL is rigged or games are fixed (although you can find plenty of evidence if you look hard enough), but this new rule certainly will not help. A hip drop tackle isn’t necessarily a clear black-and-white penalty. A lot of tackles could be considered hip drops, and there will certainly be plenty of examples where one is called and then a similar tackle later isn’t called.
In other words, it’s fuel to the fire. Unlike an offsides penalty or facemask penalty, which are sometimes tough to dispute, penalties like pass interference and holding are less clear. Technically, you could find a holding penalty on every play if you look hard enough, and pass interference is so hit-and-miss that even announcers and commentators are left confused half the time.
Add the hip-drop tackle to that list. Sure, a standard textbook tackle is clear and easy not to call, but once the speed of the game happens and players are diving and falling while trying to make a tackle, the difference between a hip drop and an awkward but legal tackle becomes almost impossible to distinguish.
There will be games this year where a penalty is called, making it seem like the game is being pushed in a certain direction. There will also be times when a tackle is left uncalled, making fans feel they aren’t getting the same treatment.
