NFL Proposes New Kickoff Rule Change

The NFL is addressing a "glitch" in the current kickoff alignment introduced in 2024. For 15-yard penalties on kickoffs, only the spot changes while the landing zone and restraining lines remain fixed.

Under the proposed change, a kickoff from the 50 that lands in the end zone (without being returned) or goes out of the end zone would result in the receiving team getting the ball on their own 20-yard line, replacing the current strategy of deliberately kicking out of bounds to give opponents possession at the 25.