New Proposals For 2020 NFL Season

Every offseason, NFL owners gather to vote on proposals ranging from new league policy, amendments to existing league policy, to changes in the actual rules of the game. Earlier this week owners voted on two Rooney Rule amendments. The first was for the elimination of a team’s ability to block coaches from interviewing with other teams while still in season, and the second was for using draft compensation as an incentive for making minority hires. The former was passed, giving candidates more freedom to interview for new jobs, the latter did not pass, as expected. 

Next week owners will reconvene virtually to vote on three more topics. Let’s have a look at what is up for discussion. 

New Onside Kick Rule

The Philadelphia Eagles organization proposed a new onside kick addition to the rules, which has apparently found some agreement around the league. The change to the onside kick procedure enables teams, twice a game, to opt for a 4th and 15 scenario from their own 25-yard line following a score. The conversion rate of these scenarios over the last 5 years has been around 23% while the current onside kick is being converted at a 10% rate over the last 2 seasons. 

The play would be officiated like any normal play. If not converted, the defending team takes over on downs. If there is pass interference or defensive holding, it is an automatic first down. If there is offensive holding, it becomes 4th and 25 from the teams own 15 yard line. Teams cannot opt to kickoff after electing to enable the 4th and 15 scenario, but it is not clear whether or not they will be able to punt, for example, if the offense commits a costly penalty. 

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This addition, if passed, would dramatically change the game as we know it. Imagine being down two scores late in the game, scoring once, then knowing, as a team, you have a chance to put the ball in the hands of say, Patrick Mahomes for one play to retain possession, rather than relying on a Harrison Butker onside kick. Total game changer. Obviously, the risk is high with your team potentially giving up possession at its own 25, but with the game on the line, it may be a risk worth taking.

Similar ideas in the past have been shut down for being too “gimmicky,” but apparently this proposal is gaining serious momentum. Remember, teams would have two of these options each game and the regular onside kick would still be available.

Sky Judge

The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers have both proposed the addition of a booth umpire, otherwise known as a sky judge, as the eighth game official. Those two teams also have proposed the addition of a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew.

The competition committee sent a report to teams last month, which supported further analysis of on-field officials being assisted by officiating personnel who would have access to a video feed. The officiating department is working with on-field officials to figure out how video feeds could assist them. So, even if owners do not pass either of the new proposals next week, it’s likely that some version of help for the officiating crew will be tested in the preseason.

Adding more eyes can only help the NFL get calls right, especially with how fast the game has become.

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Injured Reserve (IR) Expansion

The final item owners will vote on is the expansion of the number of players that can be designated for return from IR. It was not made clear what the proposed number will be. More importantly, the owners will vote on a twist to placement of IR timing. Currently, in order to be designated for return, an injured player must be included on the initial 53-man roster before being placed on IR. If approved, a player who lands on IR the day before the roster reduction from 90 to 53 will be allowed a late return from IR. That is important because there are times when a player who’s liked by a team, gets hurt at the end of training camp, he is often just cut. In this new scenario, he could be placed on IR and saved for a later date. 

Check back next week for a breakdown of the results of these votes.