New NFL Rule Proposal Has Chiefs Fans (and Patrick Mahomes) Imagining The Possibilities

A new NFL rule proposal could give teams an alternative to an onside kick that would give the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes a leg up on the competition.

On Thursday, the NFL announced rule proposal changes for the 2020 NFL season. Among the propositions, the Philadelphia Eagles have proposed a new way for teams to keep the ball after scoring, and it would be good news for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here's the Eagles' proposal, via NFL.com's webpage detailing the new potential rules:

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).

Unfortunately, teams would be allowed to do this no more than two times per game, but it could still be an extremely fun wrinkle for the Chiefs. While Kansas City doesn't spend much time in any sort of desperation mode with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes at the helm of the offense, it could give the Chiefs chances to make up lost ground at any point in a game.

Early reports indicated that the current version of the rule dictated that only the trailing team would be allowed to take the 4th and 15, but later reports say that would not be true and that teams could opt for the 4th-and-15 at any point, twice per game. In either instance, the Chiefs would be better equipped to succeed in those situations than anyone else in the sport.

Don't let the owners see this chart pic.twitter.com/ZMXRzZmjn6

— Jordan (@MacSween3382) May 21, 2020

While this may ultimately just serve as another reminder that the Chiefs should be more generally aggressive on fourth down, having this automatic opportunity available while trailing late in the game would be an excellent break-glass-in-case-of-emergency weapon for the Chiefs.

At the very least, Mahomes appears to be thinking about the possibilities...

4th and 15.... 😅😅 https://t.co/ESuILCqkcG

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) May 21, 2020

Chiefs didn’t go for it on 4th and 15 or longer last year but no wonder Mahomes likes this. He was 12-16 for 255 yards and 3 TD on 3rd and 15 or more in regular season. This doesn’t even count Jet Chip Wasp in Super Bowl. https://t.co/yjz3qP0Bh5

— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) May 21, 2020

Update: According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, teams do not have to be trailing to attempt a 4th-and-15 conversion, contrary to previous reports.

Here’s the updated language of the proposed rule change on an alternative to the onside kick – and it *doesn’t* specify that a team must be trailing to attempt it. Limit of two tries per game, but this would open up strategic options. NFL teams will discuss next Thursday. pic.twitter.com/VsLm0NI7XJ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 22, 2020