NFL Rule Change May Save Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson's Record

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson broke the NFL record last season for kickoff return touchdowns. Now, a rule change approved last week may keep the record intact for a very long time.

While the Atlanta Falcons 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.

The change comes months after Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson broke the NFL record for most kickoff return touchdowns by any player in NFL history.

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.

With this rule in place, it will be much harder for anyone to reach Patterson's nine touchdowns. However, the kickoff rule is a one-year change that will be re-evaluated next offseason. Reports suggested that this change had been opposed by a significant number of the league’s special teams coaches.

The closest active player to Patterson's record is Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu, who has racked up three in his first two seasons in the league. That means whether the rule change is temporary or permanent, Patterson should comfortably hold the record for a long time.

With the second-best odds to win the NFC South, the Falcons hope to get back to the playoffs this season by adjusting to the new rules in 2023. 

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