The NFL has grappled with the idea of replacing onside kick attempts as recently as 2021, when the Eagles proposed a rule change that would get rid of the attempt and instead let the "kicking" team go for it on a fourth-and-15 from their own 25-yard line.
The recently reestablished XFL has incorporated that rule in its 2023 season, and so far it has seen solid results. In Week 1, A.J. McCarron and the St. Louis Battlehawks completed a 15-3 fourth-quarter comeback with under two minutes left with the help of the rule, creating a thrilling finish in what would ultimately be a Battlehawks win.
The NFL is reportedly considering revisiting the rule after those early returns, as it looks like a viable way to spark comebacks. Last season, NFL teams were 3 of 56 on onside kick attempts, continuing the longstanding trend of onside kicks being exceptionally difficult to recover.
The idea is to create more comebacks in a high-risk high-reward scenario. This rule is nearly identical ot the one the Eagles proposed two years ago, as the XFL has taken it and run with it.
The NFL competition committee could once again look into an onside kick alternative that would give teams the chance to maintain possession with a 4th-and-15 play. The proposal has had growing support in recent years and it’s being used in the XFL. Discussions will continue.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 27, 2023
MORE: XFL's 4th-and-15 vs. onside kick rule, explained
What is the fourth-and-15 onside kick?
The fourth-and-15 onside kick is a replacement to the onside kick attempt.
In essence, teams will start from their own 25-yard line with one fourth-and-15 play. If they convert it, the drives continues as normal. If they fail, the other team gets the ball from the opposing 25-yard line.
The finer points of the NFL's proposition are far from ironed out of course, but in the XFL a regular onside kick can be attempted at any point. It's not until the fourth quarter that this version can be attempted.
The Battlehawks ran this with success in Week 1 of the XFL season.
In the XFL: Instead of an onside kick, the trailing team can maintain possession with a 4th-and-15 play from its own 25-yard line.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 19, 2023
It just worked for the St. Louis BattleHawks.
This was brought to NFL owners in the past but didn't get enough votes.pic.twitter.com/qNP5QukWMy
What are the drawbacks of the fourth-and-15?
The upside of this rule is obvious. More high-leverage plays, more chances for a comeback, and more fun for fans.
However, it does have issues. One of them is the prevalence of defensive holding in the NFL. It could be a sticky situation if the NFL is forced to award an automatic first down on one of these attempts, and removing the automatic first down on this play alone could be seen as a slippery slope by some. After all, what would stop defenders from grasping at a receiver breaking free and taking a low-percentage fourth-and-10?
The onside kick is a low percentage play by design. It's supposed to be rare. So this could lead to some finishes that, while thrilling, wouldn't always feel earned.
There would clearly be an adjustment period to this rule if it were instituted. And with any adjustment period are growing pains.
