The NFL is looking to make kickoff safer and could use the XFL to do it – but there are also doubts that their method can work in the NFL.

The NFL is currently thinking about how to make kickoff safer – and it may be willing to copy lesser pro football leagues.

According to a report by “Profootballtalk”, the NFL is considering the XFL kickoff as a possible replacement for its own kickoff.

In the XFL, the kick takes place at the 30-yard line. With the exception of the kicker, the kicking team’s players are lined up on the receiving team’s 35-yard line. Ten players of the receiving team stand five yards away. Only the kicker and returner are allowed to move before the ball is touched by the player taking the kick.

The NFL is currently reviewing XFL data on this variation. The goal is to reduce the risk of concussions by decreasing the distance between opposing players.

The XFL rule leaves players with only five yards of space to cover before contact, so they can’t get up to top speed

But there is also criticism that the XFL method is unsuitable for NFL professionals. “Profootballtalk” quotes a source with experience coaching special teams.

Doubt XFL kickoff

It will be an “ugly game” with the kick returner “getting crushed”, he said. “You have no idea how different NFL players are,” There will be “literally no way out”.

For 2023, the NFL has agreed to allow a fair catch between the goal line and the 25-yard line, with the receiving team getting the ball at the 25.

But this will not be a permanent solution – the NFL knows that too.