NFL Reportedly Considering A Big Kickoff Change

The NFL is constantly growing and changing.

They’ve seemingly made a massive rule change each year, mainly to make the game safer for all involved.

In a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Mike Florio outlined the next potential change.

“The NFL is exploring possibilities for changing the kickoff, and the XFL kickoff is a real option,” Florio said.

We can’t have this in the NFL @ProFootballTalk..

“The NFL is exploring possibilities for changing the kickoff and the XFL kickoff is a real option”

NOO WAY #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XfOVNNtJ4l

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 2, 2023

If Florio’s report is true, the NFL’s kickoff would change significantly.

In the XFL, kickoffs happen at the 30-yard line.

Instead of the kicking team barreling down the field after liftoff, the kickoff team is positioned at the opposing 35-yard line.

While this might be a safety measure that the NFL is considering, the fan response hasn’t been strong thus far.

The kickoff has yielded injuries but has also provided some of the league’s top moments.

For instance, during the 2022 season, Nyheim Hines returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown the week following Damar Hamlin’s tragic injury.

This was an electric moment, and it united the league during a difficult time.

It remains to be seen whether the NFL will implement this change.

Whichever way the league decides to go will likely be met with scrutiny.

Even though the NFL’s changes are typically in favor of player safety, fans tend to like when things stay the same.

But, if kickoffs do stay the same, there is another crowd of individuals that will be upset that they aren’t doing more for player safety.

In this lose-lose situation, what direction will the NFL decide to go?

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