NFL Rumors: Hybrid Kickoff Rule Change Passes; Packers, Raiders, 49ers Voted Against

Adam WellsMarch 26, 2024

Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kickoffs during NFL games will look different in 2024 after owners voted to approve the hybrid rule change on Tuesday.

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported the rule passed 29-3, with the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers being the only dissenting votes.

The hybrid kickoff rule allows for 10 non-kickers on the kicking team to line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line.

The receiving team has to place at least seven of its players between its own 30- and 35-yard lines in the “set up zone.” They are permitted to allow a maximum of two players in the “landing zone” between the goal line and 20-yard line.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetHere is what it will look like. And will be a lot more fun. https://t.co/JuV7puIEsH pic.twitter.com/zOFpUXSu5E

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterHere’s what the new NFL kickoff will look like this season: pic.twitter.com/vtR5bqGZLK

NFL.com’s Michael Baca noted the various scenarios involved with the kickoff when the competition committee originally proposed the change.

Among the key points are kickoffs that hit the landing zone must be returned and kickoffs short of the landing zone will be treated like an out-of-bounds kickoff, with the ball being placed on the receiving team’s 40-yard line.

If a kickoff hits the landing zone and goes into the end zone, the receiving team has to either return the ball or down it. If the ball is downed in the end zone, it will be placed at the receiving team’s 20-yard line.

A kickoff that goes into the end zone, stays inbounds and gets downed will be placed at the 35-yard line for the receiving team.

The rule is a modified version of the one that was used in the XFL during the 2020 and 2023 seasons. The XFL version had the team kicking off line up at the opponent’s 35-yard line, instead of the 40-yard line in the NFL.

Tuesday’s approved rule change comes after the NFL touted the success of decreasing the number of concussions on kickoffs during the 2023 season. The league’s data stated concussions dropped by 60 percent from 20 in 2022 to eight last season.

This is the second major rule change approved this week. Owners unanimously voted to ban the hip-drop tackle on Monday. A violation will result in a 15-yard penalty and could result in players being fined.