NFL teams might soon have an alternative option to traditional onside kicks.
The NFL announced seven rule change proposals on Thursday and the most notable is a proposal to attempt a fourth-and-long scenario in place of an onside kick. The rule was proposed by the Philadelphia Eagles:
By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1, to provide an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team who is trailing in the game an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring (4th and 15 from the kicking team’s 25-yard line).
It’s important to note that if this rule goes through, teams would only be allowed to attempt this two times a game, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The league changed onside kick rules two years ago, no longer allowing players to get a running start. That has made onside kicks even more difficult to recover.
The Denver Broncos will likely support this rule proposal given that they suggested a similar change last year. The Broncos’ proposal included a 4th-and-15 from the attempting team’s own 35-yard line, available to use just once per game.
Denver’s proposal was shot down by owners last year. Support for a revised onside kick scenario seems to be growing, according to Pelissero, so Philadelphia’s proposal might generate more support than the Broncos’ did.
