Cowboys Exec Says Efforts to Change Controversial Touchback Rule Have ‘Died’.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, a member of the NFL competition committee, has stated that a rule change regarding fumbling out of the end zone has “died.”
Typically, offseason rule modifications are implemented in response to a specific incident that does not sit well with the committee or the fans. But in this case, there was no single dramatic moment. In the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman was penalized under this regulation. Despite this, the squad recovered and won the Super Bowl.
Currently, if an offensive player fumbles the ball and it crosses the end line or sideline, the defensive team receives a touchback. In recent years, the regulation has been criticized for allowing the offense to preserve control of the ball even if it is fumbled out of bounds elsewhere on the field.
Furthermore, if the ball is fumbled in a team’s own end zone or on the field of play and goes out of bounds in the end zone, it is considered a safety if that team provided the force that propelled the ball into the end zone. A touchback occurs when the opponent provides the impetus.
Regardless of the development, if 24 of the 32 NFL owners elect to make the adjustment, they can do it. However, there is currently no reason to assume that the regulation will be modified for the 2024 season.
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