NFL Owners Set To Vote On A Replacement To Onside Kicks With A 4th and 15

By Jordan Long

The NFL owners are set to vote on rule changes.  They have already decided to drop the pass interference review because it didn’t seem to work.  One that could be implemented this season is to eliminate the onside kick and  allow a 4^th and 15 from the 25-yard line instead.

                The onside kick hasn’t been that successful since changes to kickoffs came in 2018 when kickoff teams needed to line up 5 players on each side of the kicker.   They also reduced running starts and kickoff teams could only line up 1 yard from the line of scrimmage.   According to CBSsports.com, onside kicks were converted 7.5% of the time in 2018 season compared to 2017 when it was successful 21.7%.  Last season kickoff teams recovered an onside kick 12.5% of the time.  Those are not great odds for a team to come back in the game if they need to use the onside kick.

                The proposed rule would remove the onside kick.  Instead of an onside kick, the team who scored a touchdown will be able to use a 4^th and 15 from their own 25-yard line.  It would be an untimed down.  Teams could only use it twice per game.  If they convert it, they keep possession of the ball wherever the play ended.  If they fail, the opposing team takes over where the play ended.  The offense can still be penalized.  If they are, the ball moves for penalty yardage, but the offense still has the chance to gain those yards for a 1^st down.    They can’t kickoff.  Of course, regular defensive rules are in play like pass interference and defensive holding.  Those would give the offense a first down and they would keep possession of the football.

                This seems like a better idea than the onside kick. Offenses have a better chance to gain 15 yards on one offensive play then recover an onside kick.   The success rate may be higher and fans might have an exciting end to a close game.

                The NFL owners have the opportunity to look at the rule and  vote on it at the next owners meeting which takes place tomorrow.  It will be a virtual meeting.  The only way it passes and becomes implemented this season is if 24 of the 32 owners say yes.   Hopefully, the owners decide to use this alternative to the onside kick.