A general overall view as NFC quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions (16) throws the ball on the NFL shield logo at midfield during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL approves significant change to onside kick rules

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated May 21, 2025 11:05 AM ET

The NFL introduced significant changes to its kickoff play last year, and more tweaks have now been approved for the 2025 season.

NFL team owners on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal that will allow for onside kicks to be declared at any point in the game by a team that is trailing. Last season, only a team that was trailing in the fourth quarter could attempt an onside kick.

In addition, players on the kicking team will now be allowed to line up at the 35-yard line. The ball will remain at the 35-yard line, but previous rules required the 10 players other than the kicker to line up at the 34. The hope is that moving the cover players further forward will increase the chances of a recovery by the kicking team.

This vote was unanimous. It also includes moving players on the onside kick team up a yard, which the NFL hopes will help improve rate of recovery by the kicking team.

The ball is on 35, previously the 10 cover guys had to be on the 34. They'll now be even w/the ball at the 35. https://t.co/kr3td76vYR
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 21, 2025

The onside kick success rate was lower than 7 percent last season, which has led many to feel like the play is completely dead. Owners are hoping the new changes will result in the success rate creeping a bit higher.

There had been talk of a much more radical alternative to the onside kick, but no formal proposal was submitted. If the onside kick continues to be an almost automatic recovery for the receiving team, the NFL will likely explore more dramatic changes going forward.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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