The kickoff will not be eliminated in the NFL 2018, but the league does plan on making the play safer by modifying and adjusting it.
While speaking to reporters at player-safety meetings in NYC on Tuesday, NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said a set of rules proposals to make kickoffs safer will be considered by the owners when they meet later this month.
One of the proposals that could be adopted is to move opposing players closer together before kickoff in order to minimize the amount of speed and force they can build up before contact.
Vincent said other adjustments to alignment and formation requirements will also be considered.
“There’s no question that this is not about getting [the kickoff] out of the game,” Vincent said. “It’s about enhancing it.”
Troy Vincent was clear on kickoffs: they do not want this to become a ceremonial play. But they still see huge, dangerous hits, even on kicks that result in touchbacks. Trying to eliminate those hits.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) May 1, 2018
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