The NFL could eliminate kickoffs from the game of football in time to come.
Kickoffs, more so the returns thereof, have provided some of the most entertaining plays in league history but they’re hardly returned now and don’t have as much allure.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent has hinted this week that the sequence could soon be a thing of the past, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Speaking on Wednesday, Vincent branded the kickoff a “dead ceremonial play” noting that it will be discussed, leaving the recently introduced fair catch rule in danger of being expunged.
The rule allows players behind the 25-yard line to make a fair catch that would have the ball placed at their 25. It was put in place to discourage kickoff returns as research determined that they are responsible for lots of injuries.
The NFL was successful with their drive to increase touchbacks in 2011, having moved the kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35. The move decreased kickoff returns but teams soon wised up and began making kicks up to ensure returns and stop the returner inside of the 25 to gain a few yards. It’s why the fair catch rule was implemented.
Kickoffs are now hardly returned, with just a pair of them resulting in touchdowns this season.
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While Vincent was speaking about the fair catch rule, the league is unlikely to remove it and leave kickoffs as it came about due to safety concerns. So it’s probably the latter which could be on the way out.
