The NFL is reportedly pondering the idea of changing the kickoff rules to the XFL model, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

The kickoff changes over the years were all in the name of safety, according to the league. With the increase of touchbacks, the play itself isn’t as exciting as it once was, but it was the league’s choice to put an emphasis on safety and reduce full-speed collisions.

As far as the potential rule change, the XFL has a unique model.

The XFL kickoff happens at the 30 yard line. Other than the kicker, the players on the kicking team are aligned at the receiving team’s 35 yard line.

10 of the receiving team’s players are positioned five yards away and only the kicker and the returner may move before the ball is touched by the player fielding the kick.

So, the blockers and tackles cannot move until the ball is actually in the hands of the returner and in play. This opens up lanes to return the kick but also gives fair opportunity for a tackle.

“It reduces the full speed collision where the kicking team gets a runner head start,” Florio wrote. “The NFL is exploring XFL data regarding the play. The overriding goal is to reduce the potential for concussions (serious neck injuries are a less-publicized concern) by shrinking the distance between opposing players.

“The XFL rule leaves only five yards of space for players to cover before contact, keeping them from getting to top speed.”

However, sources spoke to Florio and described what this change would do to the NFL.

“They have no idea how much different NFL players are,” the source said. “There will literally be nowhere to run.”

The source also said it would be an “ugly play” and the kick returner would get “crushed.”

Going into the 2023 season, the NFL approved a modification to the kickoff. Similar to college, the NFL will allow a fair catch between the goal line and the 25 yard-line, resulting in the ball being spotted at the return team’s 25.

This will no doubt increase the amount of fair catches and could decrease the kickoff returns even more. It remains to be seen, but the NFL is at least reportedly trying to come up with a safe but entertaining way to keep the kickoff as an integral part of the game.