The NFL competition committee revealed the proposed rule changes for the 2020 season. The proposals range from the fairly mundane to the radically interesting and impactful.
Among the proposals up for consideration are an expansion of the defenseless player protection to return men, the ability for the defense to get a running clock instead of yardage on an offensive penalty late in games, and the permanent addition of an umpire in the booth with the power to signal infractions from above.
Perhaps the most radical proposal comes from the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s an alternative to the onside kick as a means for the scoring team getting another offensive possession.
By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1, to provide an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team who is trailing in the game an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring (4th and 15 from the kicking team’s 25-yard line).
As an example, let’s say the Browns score a touchdown with three minutes to go in the 4th quarter to pull within four points. Instead of trying an onside kick with its paltry success rate, Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland offense could instead get one play to convert 15 yards starting from their own 25-yard line. If they make it, they keep the ball. If not, welp…
The owners will vote on the proposals during the league’s virtual meetings in the coming days. A 75 percent (24 of 32) vote of approval is needed for each proposal.