One of the most polarizing experimental rules in the XFL could (potentially) be making its way to the NFL.
On Monday, the Eagles proposed a rule change that would implement the spring football league’s onside kick alternative, which allows teams to attempt a fourth and 15 to retain possession of the ball as opposed to kicking an onside kick, which has a very low rate of success when the other team is expecting it.
The proposal made by Philadelphia would tweak the XFL rule slightly, requiring teams to convert a 4th and 20 from the kicking team’s 20-yard line. Given the upgrade in talent, extending the distance by five yards (if not more) makes a good deal of sense.
The #Eagles also submitted a proposal to adopt the XFL-style onside kick substitute, permitting a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play (4th and 20 from the kicking team’s 20-yard line) for an onside kickoff attempt.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2023
The rule would almost certainly have its detractors, but it would undoubtedly make the games more exciting and would make them much more conducive to large comebacks.
This has been demonstrated already in the XFL. The best example came back on Feb. 19, when the rule allowed the St. Louis BattleHawks to erase a 15-3 deficit against the San Antonio Brahmas with just 1:25 to play, ultimately winning 18-15.
XFL's fourth-and-15 onside kick alternative contributes to dramatic comeback win. https://t.co/xKlvFrS2jd
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 19, 2023
Okay the XFL’s 4th and 15 conversion option kinda rules
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 19, 2023
This isn’t the first time the NFL has considered such a rule change. The league met to discuss introducing a 4th and 15 alternative before the 2020 season, but the owners chose to table that discussion without ruling out a change in the future.
Now, that time may be coming, and Philadelphia is putting itself squarely on the “pro-fun” side of the discussion.
