Fumbles have gone through the end zone eight times in the regular season since 2018 and every time, fans have hated that it meant the offense was going to lose the ball as a result.
The NFL’s Competition Committee discussed changing the current rules regarding fumbling the ball through the end zone, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.
Unfortunately, Battista noted that there is “not much traction” for a change to the rule that currently will reward the defense with the ball. The committee reportedly believes that the play happens rarely and it’s the “ballcarrier’s responsibility” to protect the football at the goal line.
Many have argued that the offense does not lose possession fumbling the ball out of bounds anywhere else, but once it goes out of the end zone it results in the opposing team gaining possession.
You could also argue that a fumble through the end zone is more costly than a fumble at any other spot on the field and should warrant a harsher punishment for the offense.
The way rules are set for the game, the offense wins out on a ton of them. It has been increasingly hard for defensive players to do their jobs so this one rule that helps them should remain.
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Discussions about the rule were talked about again during the Kansas City Chiefs matchup with the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs. Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman caught a short pass inside Buffalo’s 10-yard line and attempted to reach the ball out and break the plane of the end zone.
However, Bills safety Jordan Poyer punched the football out before it went through the end zone to give Buffalo the ball back.
The Chiefs still won by the final score of 27-24.
Despite the uproar, it doesn’t appear that any significant change will be coming ahead of the 2024 season.
