In a unanimous 29-3 vote, NFL owners have approved significant changes to kickoff rules for the upcoming 2024 season. These alterations aim to revitalize the declining play which has seen a decrease in return rates and concerns about player safety in recent years.

The newly adopted version of kickoffs mirrors the approach used by the XFL in recent seasons. Under these rules, the kicker will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, while the remaining 10 members of the kicking team will now line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. On the receiving side, at least nine players will be placed in a setup zone between the 30- and 35-yard line, with one or two returners positioned in a "landing zone" between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

Crucially, until the ball makes contact with the ground or a player, no one except the kicker or returner will be permitted to move. This change aims to enhance player safety by reducing the risk of high-speed collisions during kickoffs.

The decision to implement these changes follows years of discussions regarding the future of kickoffs and the league's effort to reduce injury rates associated with the play. In 2023, only 21.7% of kickoffs were returned, marking the lowest return rate in NFL history. With the implementation of the new rules, Rich McKay, the competition committee chair, anticipates return rates increasing significantly, possibly reaching 80-90%.

Additionally, teams will now be allowed to attempt two onside kicks per game, although the element of surprise will be eliminated from these attempts. To promote player safety and encourage touchbacks, the position for touchbacks will be moved from the 25 to the 30-yard line. McKay also hinted at the possibility of considering a further change in the future, potentially moving the touchback position to the 35-yard line.

McKay expressed optimism about the changes, stating, "We've taken a play that's essentially been dying over the course of the last few years, and in our opinion, we've revived it. The fact that we felt like we can make this play a lot safer, and certainly more exciting for everybody, were the two main factors."

These kickoff rule changes were approved on a trial basis for the 2024 season, underlining the league's commitment to evaluating their impact before making any permanent decisions.

In addition to these kickoff modifications, NFL owners have made other noteworthy changes during their meetings. The hip-drop tackle has been eliminated, trade deadline has been moved back by a week to November 5, and teams are now permitted to receive a third challenge in a game by winning just one of their first two challenges. The ruling on a passer being down by contact or out of bounds before throwing the ball will now be subject to review. The NFL has also allowed teams to promote an emergency quarterback from the practice squad, removing the requirement for teams to carry a third quarterback on the active roster.

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fans, players, and coaches eagerly await the implementation of these rule changes, expecting that they will not only reinvigorate the kickoff play but also enhance player safety and increase excitement on the field.