In the Super Bowl XLIV showdown between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts, Saints head coach Sean Payton dialed up a surprise onside kick after halftime to steal a possession from the Colts. But with a new rule change that is likely to go into place next season, that would no longer be possible.
According to a report from league insider Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, a proposal to change the kickoff rules for the upcoming season would effectively eliminate the possibility of a surprise onside kick, requiring teams to declare beforehand that they are doing an onside kick.
“No surprises: The new kickoff rule crafted by NFL special teams coordinators would allow teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter — and require them to declare it in advance, per sources. Language still being finalized and owners must approve,” Pelissero said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
No surprises: The new kickoff rule crafted by NFL special teams coordinators would allow teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter — and require them to declare it in advance, per sources.
Language still being finalized and owners must approve. pic.twitter.com/HYJKv3EZtP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 3, 2024
This is obviously a very significant change, and NFL fans were not at all happy about it as they expressed their outrage on social media.
What.. are we doing?? https://t.co/yZcZi8FY08
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 3, 2024
This is dumb. https://t.co/xLT6ePNJhe
— Brendan Stiles (@thebstiles) March 3, 2024
Can’t stress enough how lame this is. https://t.co/C7moNyME6i
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) March 3, 2024
Stop ruining football… https://t.co/SAozzVJYGr
— Barstool NOLA (@BarstoolNOLA) March 3, 2024
It is actually amazing how stupid everybody in charge of stuff is. https://t.co/ZlkPfKpZL7
— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) March 3, 2024
Dumbest rule change ever… “yeah we’re going to tell the other team before hand our plans” https://t.co/2DQ0yF9M5F
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) March 3, 2024
It’s clear that this is not a popular rule change.
