Bedard: NFL approves dramatic change to kickoff returns

ORLANDO — The NFL approved, for one year, a switch the XFL kickoff return starting this season, a dramatic change to the change aimed at bringing the play back into the game.

Approved by the Competition Committee; for one year only, amends Rule 6, to create a new form of a free kick play that is designed to: (1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed; and (2) promote more returns.

This is what it will look like:

Some excellent insight on X from Eric Galko, the former director of player personnel for the XFL:

1. Overall Play Designs: The kickoff play isn’t going to be run like a previous kickoff. They'll be less value on collisions, quickness and explosiveness.

Instead, it’ll likely be more closely analogous to a spaced out run play. You might even see Special Teams coaches develop into Man vs. Zone type distinctions. You'll see players pull, plays like Power/Duo, now on kickoff return! 

This will lead to a higher value on TE/FB-type run blocking value on return, and LB/SAF block shedding value on kickoff. 

Should help athlete TEs who can block (like Tip Reiman) and undersized LBs/Big Safeties (like Tyler Owens) be even more valuable now.

2. Returner Evaluations: Similar to above, returner value will be less about top end speed and burst, and more about vision and reacting. 

In short, more "running back attacking the hole"-type will be more valuable than vs. "receivers navigating in the open field" types. 

We at the XFL saw the teams with the most success had decisive, one-cut players rather than their fastest guys back there.

Don’t be surprised if we see more RBs (or those with RB backgrounds) get more opportunities as returners, and for those returners to be a bit based on which “kick scheme” the team runs (man vs. zone).

We could even see bigger athletic RBs (like Isaac Guerendo), be not only potential returners, but coveted options.

3. Roster Construction: For the last 5+ years, a "core special teamer" primarily meant a standout on just punt and punt return team, which amplified just gunners and returners in a big way.

Now, the new NFL Kickoff heavily incentivizes every return to be a live play. That puts in 10+ more plays into real action again, and one that requires a defined skill set. That’s HUGE. 

Don’t be surprised if teams adjust how many at each position they carry. 

Carrying a 5th Tight Ends, a 78th/8th Linebackers and/or a 5th/6th Safety may be commonplace.

4. Learning Curve: At the XFL (2020 edition), we felt confident we’d see not only a lot of returners (as we and now the NFL rule heavily incentivizes a play happening), but a lot of big plays.

But it took time for our coaches and players to be comfortable and creative, as well as address the  reduced space initially.

The old NFL kickoff had big lanes initially that closed up with good coverage. This new kickoffs will have more narrow lanes, but a much greater opportunity to turn those lanes into big plays and touchdowns.

It may just take until the second half of the NFL season for it to happen. But when it does, don't be surprised if we see a MAJOR uptick in return touchdowns.

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Other rule changes approved:

- NFL owners approved an amendment to push the 2024 trading deadline to the Tuesday after Week 9 games. The 2024 trade deadline is set to be on Nov. 5. (It was Oct. 31 in 2023.)

Previously, the trade deadline was Tuesday after Week 8.

- NFL team owners unanimously approved a rule that bans players from using a swivel technique to tackle an opponent.

A violation will result in a 15-yard penalty and could ultimately result in fines for players.

NFL executive Jeff Miller said the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.

- Now a coach only needs to have one successful challenge to earn the opportunity for a third challenge. Coaches had to get both challenges right to get a third challenge.

- A passer down by contact or out of bounds before throwing a pass is now a reviewable play.

- You can now have a replay review when there is clear and obvious visual evidence that the game clock expired before any snap.

- To permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations.

- To expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.