Eagles, NFL Must Adapt to Major Rule Change in 2023
While the Philadelphia Eagles kick off the second week of Offseason Training Activities, 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 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.
Eagles center Jason Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid are among those who have voiced concerns about the special teams change.
On their podcast, the Kelce brothers called the new change "whack" and feel it will take away from the role of special teams.
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. The reigning Super Bowl Champions Chiefs are favorites to again win the Lombardi Trophy but will have to make special teams adjustments like the Eagles and rest of the league.
“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 off-season. Reports suggested that this change had been opposed by a significant number of the league’s special-teams coaches.
With a new-look roster, Philadelphia looks to get back to the Super Bowl by adjusting to the new rules in 2023.
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