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NFL Considers Replacing Ineffective Onside Kicks Amid Safety Concerns

2/10/2026

38 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The NFL's new kickoff formation has made recovering onside kicks more difficult, prompting discussion of a fourth-and-13 replacement.
Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano originally proposed replacing the onside kick after a serious injury in 2010.
League decision-makers have been lukewarm.
Fewer than eight percent of onside kicks are recovered, making the play largely ineffective.
One head coach expressed disdain for both options.

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Story summary

The NFL's new kickoff formation has made recovering onside kicks more difficult, prompting discussion of a fourth-and-13 replacement.
Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano originally proposed replacing the onside kick after a serious injury in 2010.
League decision-makers have been lukewarm.
Fewer than eight percent of onside kicks are recovered, making the play largely ineffective.
One head coach expressed disdain for both options.