Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid commented on potential changes to the NFL’s onside kick rules during Friday’s media availability.
The proposed rules changes for the 2020 NFL season are scheduled to go to a vote next Thursday. When asked about the proposed rules to onside kicks, where a team would have an opportunity to convert a fourth-and-15 from their own 25-yard line to retain possession of the ball, Reid had mixed feelings. On one hand, Reid prefers to stick to the spirit of the game.
“Listen, I don’t know if it’s going to pass or not,” Reid began. “I know the special teams coaches aren’t real big on that. It takes away, obviously, one of the elements of theirs and then the kickoff, which has been under big scrutiny here, and kickoff returns. To keep the integrity of the game, you’d like [to keep] that part of it.”
Reid, however, feels pretty good about the situation even if it does pass. Because the Chiefs just so happen to have one of the quarterbacks most equipped to convert those fourth-and-15 tries.
“On the other hand if it does pass, we’ve got a guy [Patrick Mahomes] that can do fourth-and-15,” Reid said. “I mean he would give us an opportunity to be able to do that. So I’ve got kind of mixed thoughts on it. Being an old guy, I would probably stick with the integrity of the game as it sits right now. But I can also see how the other part of it would be exciting too.”
Sticking to the old way might be a favorable decision for Coach Reid, but he’s right. It’s hard not to get excited about the prospect of seeing Mahomes in action on these proposed fourth-and-15 plays. Whatever happens it seems like Kansas City will come out of the situation prepared to handle their business when it comes to onside kicks.
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