Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you read about the NFL approving a rule when it comes to kickoff returns and fair catches? We’re here to help.
Among the new NFL rules approved for the 2023 season is a simple one with far-reaching implications: If you fair catch a ball inside the 25-yard line — anywhere inside there — it’ll be placed at the 25 as if it was a touchback.
Now: Why would that be much criticized? Why is this happening in the first place? Fear not, we have answers.
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OK, explain it to me again.
It used to be that a ball would only be placed at the 25-yard line after a kickoff if it went into the end zone.
Now? If you are standing at the 5-yard line or the 13 or the 15 or whatever, and you call for a fair catch, the ball will be placed at the 25.
This sounds familiar.
It is. That’s how it’s done in college. A fair catch within the 25 is a touchback.
Back in 2020, Saturday Blitz ran the numbers and showed a big reduction in returns.
What's the thinking behind the change?
The claim is player safety:
NFL modeling says kickoff returns should be reduced by 7 percent with fair catch to be spotted at 25 yd line. That, they expect, will lead to 15 percent drop in concussions on the play. NFL will continue to look at it.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) May 23, 2023
NFL EVP Jeff Miller says league expects concussion rate on play to drop by 15%.
"The kickoff play has the highest rate of concussion every single year. We can't stand by and do nothing. Sitting still and continuing to do nothing was unacceptable." https://t.co/5nirsHEk8E
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) May 23, 2023
NFL VP Jeff Miller on the kickoff rule change for the 2023 to address the rise in concussions on returns over the last couple of seasons: “We can’t stand by and do nothing.” pic.twitter.com/kqoKoKprjz
— A.J. Perez (@byajperez) May 23, 2023
Player safety is good. Why is there controversy?
Because players and special teams coaches are VERY much against it. First, via the New York Daily News, they argue that it doesn’t have the impact that the NFL claims it does. Second, it could change strategies for teams that could be BAD for player safety:
Coaches and players found that 11 of the 19 concussions on kickoffs last season happened when a return man took the ball out of the end zone, a play that wouldn’t be prevented by this new rule. They say only one of last year’s 19 kickoff concussions happened to a returner: the Packers’ Keisean Nixon.
And special teams coaches actually believe players could find themselves in just as many dangerous and unpredictable situations if not more based on how teams may adjust to the new rule.
Seeking an edge wherever they can find one, some special teams coordinators might resort more to squibbed and knuckled kicks that could set off unfamiliar and awkward collisions.
Oh. Can this be addressed again if that does happen?
Yes. It’s a one-year only experiment, but it could be approved beyond this coming season.
NFL owners approved the resolution putting the ball on the 25-yard line following a fair catch on a kickoff, I’m told.
Special teams coordinators unanimously opposed the change, but it’s happening.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 23, 2023
