No changes to new kickoff; no digital first-down chain yet

Welcome to the 2024 NFL Season Preview!

As the 2024 NFL regular season rapidly approaches, the league’s competition committee and game operations teams are diligently reviewing the preseason to gather valuable insights that will help enhance the game. This process also serves to educate the league and its teams on recent rule changes.

During a conference call with reporters on Thursday morning, Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, public affairs, and policy, expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the modified kickoff rule. Miller revealed that an impressive 70 percent of kickoffs during preseason games were returned. Teams used the preseason as a testing ground for new coverages and strategies, while players seized the opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes of securing roster spots. However, there is a possibility that kickoff returns may decline during the regular season as teams opt for touchbacks to avoid the risk of surrendering yards.

This year, the NFL introduced a new kickoff format aimed at reducing the risk of serious injury and revitalizing the kickoff phase of the game.

GO DEEPER

Making sense of NFL’s new kickoff rule and what it means for next season

While the NFL’s competition committee remains open to potential modifications to the new kickoff format, no changes are currently being considered before the start of the regular season. Another focal point of this season’s rule changes is the enforcement of the hip-drop swivel tackle, a dangerous technique that has led to an increase in lower body injuries in recent years.

Two instances of the prohibited tackle were identified during preseason games, prompting the game operations team to educate players and potentially issue fines for violations. Additionally, the NFL experimented with digital technology to measure first downs but has decided to maintain the traditional chain gang method for the upcoming regular season games.

In other exciting news:

The NFL has scheduled a thrilling opening weekend with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles facing the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil. This marks the NFL’s first game in Brazil, with both teams hosting watch parties at their stadiums and a plethora of events for fans in Brazil and Australia. The league is also considering adding Brazil to its list of international game locations.
With the U.S. presidential election on the horizon, the NFL has expanded its social justice initiatives to emphasize the importance of voting. Educational sessions have been conducted at team headquarters to facilitate voter registration, and over half of the league’s stadiums will serve as polling locations on election day.
Fans can look forward to enhanced behind-the-scenes coverage during television broadcasts this season, featuring in-game interviews with head coaches and coordinators, pre-game player interviews, and potential glimpses into locker rooms before kickoff.