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 Lions score a late touchdown to pull within five points of the Vikings. Instead of lining up for an onside kick and its eight percent success rate over the last three years, Detroit could trot out Matthew Stafford and the offense to try and convert a 4th & 15 from its own 25-yard line. Convert the play and keep the ball. Miss and it’s Vikings ball deep in Lions territory.
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.
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