While the XFL’s unique rules have received mixed reviews from football viewers, there’s one that some have argued should be adopted by the NFL.
The XFL kicks off from the 30-yard line, and has the coverage teams line up five yards apart at the 30- and 35-yard lines to prevent high-speed collisions. The rule has resulted in more interesting kickoffs and has successfully reduced the risk of injury without eliminating the kickoff from the game.
It turns out the NFL has taken notice. Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy, a member of the league’s Competition Committee, admitted to being intrigued by the rule.
Packers President Mark Murphy said he's intrigued by the XFL kickoff formation (“Obviously it makes it safer because you’re taking the speed out of it," he said) and extra-points system, but said there's been no formal discussion by the NFL competition committee of either.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 24, 2020
We’re obviously a long way from the XFL’s rule even being considered by the NFL. It hasn’t even been brought up with the committee yet. Even the admission is interesting, though, and a signal that it might have a chance at some point. After all, the NFL has worked so hard on kickoffs, but they haven’t gotten more exciting. Taking a look at how the XFL does things is worth a shot.
