NFL Adds New Kickoff Rule; Commanders Affected?

The Washington Commanders and the rest of the NFL will have to adjust to the new kickoff rule.

While the Washington Commanders kick off the second week of Offseason Training Activities (OTAs), the NFL has approved a few notable changes for the upcoming season.

NFL owners met for the annual spring meeting and among the approved proposals are the ability to flex Thursday Night Football games and the "emergency" third quarterback position. However, the biggest change is to kickoffs. 

The new rule will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a kickoff anywhere behind that yard line — just as if the kickoff had gone through the end zone.

With this change, it could affect players looking to make the team as a return specialist, like undrafted free agent wide receiver Kazmeir Allen.

"He played some slot for them, some wide receiver for them, some running back for them and then he returned both kickoffs and punts for them, and he did 'em in the bowl game in the All-Star games as well," head coach Ron Rivera said.

Allen is trying to make the team, but faces an already-deep wide receiver corps headlined by Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. That means there is likely only two or three spots available for other wideouts. Allen could be a return specialist for the team, but if this rule leans on the conservative side, it's possible that the Commanders can put any skill player out there to make the fair catch. That would make Allen's placement on the roster obsolete and allow the Commanders to use the spot at a position with more of a need.

The NFL reasons that the change will reduce the risk of injuries, especially concussions, on kickoffs which are typically one of the most dangerous parts of the game.

The argument against the rule is centered around concerns it pushes the kickoff return further toward irrelevance and will lead to uglier plays with squib and corner kicks.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has concerns about the special teams change. The reigning Super Bowl Champions Chiefs are favorites to again win the Lombardi Trophy but will have to make special teams adjustments like the rest of the league. Reid told reporters last week that he worries about one change will turn into many that will ultimately transform the game in a negative way.

“So you start taking pieces (away), and we’ll see how this goes, but you don’t want to take too many pieces away," Reid said. "You’ll be playing flag football.”

The kickoff rule is a one-year change that will be reevaluated next offseason.

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