NFL is again considering XFL kickoff rule change

To reduce concussions around the league, the NFL has made significant rule changes to try and reduce the number of kickoffs. The problem is that it has almost eliminated what is sometimes one of the most exciting plays in football. 

As a result, the NFL is again going to consider adopting the XFL kickoff rule that dramatically changes the alignment on kickoffs. That is according to a Friday report from the Washington Post.

The XFL rule sees each team line up 10 players five yards apart from one another, with only the kicker and kickoff returner lined up elsewhere. That alignment prevents the type of high-speed, full-spring collisions that have made kickoffs one of the most dangerous plays in football for head injuries.

It also helps inspire more actual kickoff returns since the returners will have more room in front of them given the alignment of the other players on the field.

It was generally seen as one of the more popular rule changes the most recent version of the XFL introduced. 

In recent years, the NFL has done everything from moving the location of kickoffs to produce more touchbacks, moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line and giving return teams the option to call for a fair catch in the field of play and get possession at the 25. 

The result of that has been fewer kickoff-related concussions. But it has also taken away a big part of the game.

While critics of these rule changes argue that the NFL is trying to eliminate kickoffs entirely, adopting the XFL kickoff rule would be a big step toward trying to bring the play back into relevance while also keeping injuries down.