NFL Reportedly Discussing Potential Change To Kickoffs That Would Mirror XFL Rules

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Kickoffs in the NFL could look vastly different in 2024.

The NFL competition committee reportedly held discussions about changing kickoff rules on Sunday in Indianapolis during a meeting ahead of the new league year. 

"My perspective has been that we have to keep the kickoff in the game," Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay told the Washington Post. "And to do that, we have to find a way to modernize it and get that play going again because that 20% return rate is not what was intended for that [fair catch] rule."

The NFL made changes last season with fair catches being allowed on kickoffs, but these changes would be much more drastic, and look similar to what we saw in the XFL in 2023.

In the XFL, kickoffs were taken from the kicking team’s 30-yard line. The members of the kicking team lined up at the receiving team’s 35-yard line and blockers on the receiving team then line up on their own 30-yard line. The kicker and the returner are the only two players who can move until the ball is caught or three seconds after the ball hits the ground. 

The penalty for kickoffs that sail out of bounds or don't reach the opposing 20-yard line is drastic with the ball being moved to the kicking team’s 45-yard line.

A touchback occurs when the ball travels into the end zone or bounces into the end zone. If it sails into the end zone without touching the ground, the receiving team gets the ball at the 35. If it bounces into the end zone, the receiving team gets the ball at the 15.

Onside kicks would of course still be allowed with the football having to travel at least 10 yards but no more than 20 yards. 

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Where it gets completely bizarre is teams can decline to kick the ball off in exchange for a 4th and 14 option in the 4th quarter from their own 25. If the team converts, it then keeps the ball.

It's unclear which aspects of the XFL rules the NFL may attempt to adopt. It's safe to say it won't be looking to give teams the option to decline the kickoff, however.

Any rule change would need to receive 24 votes to be enacted.

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the world of professional golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.