The NFL has officially outlawed the swivel hip-drop tackle for the 2024 NFL season and beyond. Players who use the hip-drop tackle in the play will be subject to a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. The official rule reads as follows:
ARTICLE 18. HIP-DROP TACKLE. It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:
(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and
(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg(s) at or below the knee.
The change is a controversial one. On one hand, you're eliminating a play that has injured many players on offense before, most notably Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews. On the other hand, there are many outspoken critics on the defensive side of the ball, who say this makes things that much more difficult for the defense in certain situations.
Justin Reid reacts to the rule change and his inclusion in the video
The league shared a video at the Annual League Meetings on Monday, including examples of plays that would now be penalized under the new rule change. One of the plays included featured Kansas City Chiefs S Justin Reid tackling Cincinnati Bengals WR Tyler Boyd in the AFC Championship Game in the 2022-2023 NFL season.
X user @JordanTribe asked Reid for his thoughts on the new rule given that the NFL's example video included a play involving the veteran safety. His response was measured and not quite as disapproving as it could have been, at least compared to some of his more outspoken NFL compatriots.
"Horrible… really making it difficult for defense to make a play- especially when a defensive player is running a guy down from behind," Reid wrote on X. "Players don’t make the rules tho so just gonna have to play and let the chips fall where they fall"
Ultimately, Reid knows that the players don't get an opportunity to have their voices heard here. They released a statement via the NFLPA in opposition to the rule change, but that didn't seem to help their cause at all. The vote passed with little opposition from ownership.
Reid is ready to adjust his playstyle and let things fall as they may. You can't help but recognize that this will make it harder for defensive players who are running down offensive players from behind. They might have to make the split-second decision — do you take a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down or do you let the opponent score?
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