NFL May Revisit Onside Kick Rules as League Weighs Future of Special Teams
The NFL’s kickoff revolution is entering a new phase, and the onside kick may be next on the league’s agenda. NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said recently that officials still need to address the onside kick, suggesting that even after sweeping kickoff changes ahead of the 2024 season, special teams rules remain a work in progress.
The comments, reported by Mark Maske of Front Office Sports, come as the league evaluates the impact of its most significant kickoff overhaul in decades. Early returns suggest the new setup is achieving its goal of bringing more kickoff returns into play, but the onside kick has not enjoyed a similar revival—and Vincent indicated the league is aware of the disparity.
Troy Vincent Signals the NFL Is Not Done With Onside Kick Rules
“We’ve still got to address the onside kick,” Vincent said, per Maske. He also noted that league leaders and team owners spent “a good amount of time” discussing overall kickoffs during recent meetings.
Vincent’s remarks do not signal an immediate rule change, but they confirm that the onside kick is on the league’s radar. That is noteworthy because the NFL has already liberalized when teams can attempt an onside kick, yet recovery rates have remained low. The next question is whether the competition committee will consider structural adjustments to make the play more viable without undermining the broader kickoff reforms.
What the 2024 Kickoff Overhaul Changed
The NFL first made major changes to its kickoff rules for the 2024 season in an effort to increase returns. Among the most consequential adjustments was placing the ball at the 35-yard line for a touchback, creating more incentive to kick into the landing zone instead of simply booming it into the end zone.
Under the new framework, non-kicking players cannot move until the ball is caught or hits the ground in the landing zone. The rule was designed to reduce high-speed collisions while giving return units a fairer chance to field the kick and advance it. The league has pointed to those changes as a key reason kickoff returns have become a major part of the game again.
The Evolution of Onside Kick Declaration Rules
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported before the 2024 season that the NFL had already adjusted onside kick procedures. Initially, only teams trailing in the fourth quarter were allowed to declare an onside kick. The league later changed that to permit any trailing team to declare at any point in the game.
This season, the NFL removed the trailing requirement entirely, meaning teams can declare an onside kick at any time regardless of the score. Despite that increased flexibility, teams have not recovered onside kicks at a high rate in recent years.
| Framework | Onside Kick Declaration Rule |
|---|---|
| Initial rule | Only teams trailing in the fourth quarter could declare an onside kick |
| Previous adjustment | Teams trailing at any point in the game could declare |
| Current rule | Any team may declare an onside kick at any time, regardless of score |
Onside Kick Success Has Not Kept Pace
There has not been a high success rate in recovering onside kicks in recent years, even as the league made it easier to attempt them. The requirement that teams declare their intentions has likely reduced the element of surprise, and Vincent’s comments suggest the league may explore whether further adjustments are needed to restore the play’s strategic value.
Kickoff Returns Are Surging, According to the League
As for kickoffs as a whole, Seifert noted that last season saw an increase in return rate to 74.5 percent. NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said the return rate is now 80 percent, adding “we can declare success on that one,” per Maske.
The kickoff return is now a major part of the game, and it has already played significant roles in outcomes. One notable example came when Ameer Abdullah’s long return for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final seconds against the Philadelphia Eagles set up the winning field goal.
What Comes Next for NFL Special Teams
The NFL appears satisfied with where standard kickoffs stand, but the onside kick remains unresolved. Vincent’s remarks indicate that league officials recognize the gap between a successful kickoff return product and a declining onside kick success rate. Whether that leads to a formal proposal, a rule trial, or simply continued monitoring is not yet clear.
For now, the status quo remains: any team can declare an onside kick at any time, but recoveries remain difficult. As the league continues reviewing kickoff operations, the onside figure is likely to stay part of the conversation as the NFL looks to balance safety, strategy, and excitement in its special teams rules.
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