Report: NFL Considering Significant Change to Kickoffs, Inspired by XFL

In an effort to make kickoffs safer, the NFL is considering adopting similar kickoff rules to the XFL, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. 

In the XFL, kickers line up at the 30-yard line with the other 10 players of the kickoff team lining up at the opponent’s 35-yard line—just five yards away from the returning team. Only the kicker and one returner can move until the ball is fielded and touchbacks are spotted at the 35-yard line.

Meanwhile in the NFL, kicking teams line up at the 35-yard line with eight members of the return team within 15 yards of them. Double-team blocks aren’t allowed and touchbacks are spotted at the 25-yard line. 

The XFL’s version of the kickoff gives more of an incentive for returns and safer ones at that since there’s less room between opposing players to pick up a head of steam. NFL players running down the field following a kickoff reach an average speed of 17 miles per hour, according to PFT. 

However, one unnamed source with special teams coaching experience told Florio that it would be an “ugly play” with the kick returner getting “crushed.”

“They have no idea how much different NFL players are,” the source said. “There will literally be nowhere to run.”