The NFL Is Testing an Onside Kick Alternative (Among Other Rule Changes) at the Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game showcasing the NFL’s best players — or at least the ones healthy enough to show up for the yearly exhibition. But this year, it’ll be a bit more than that.

In addition to existing as the all-star exhibition event of the season, the 2020 Pro Bowl will provide a testing ground for a pair of rule changes that could make their way into the league rule-books as early as next season.

Check them out:

You can read up on the full scope of the rules to be tested here. But for now, let’s discuss the one rule that will be of most interest to fans, players and coaches — the potential onside kick alternative.

Let’s follow along with the scoring team (Team A) and its opponents (Team B):

  • After scoring, Team A can either give Team B the ball at Team B’s own 25-yard-line. In this scenario, the kickoff is eliminated and Team B resumes play on its own 25, just as if it would have taken a touchback on an ensuing kickoff.
  • HOWEVER, Team A could take the ball on its own 25-yard-line and attempt a 4th-and-15 play. If successful, Team A would retain possession of the football and open up a new set of downs. But if unsuccessful, Team B would take over wherever the dead-ball spot happens to be.
  • If this sounds familiar, it is similar to the rule proposal the Denver Broncos proposed last offseason. In March 2019, the Broncos offered up a rule change that allowed teams that score in the fourth quarter to have one opportunity to convert a 4th-and-15 from its own 35-yard-line in order to retain possession. It was similar to what the now-defunct Alliance of American Football had in a rule that allowed teams trailing with five minutes or less in the fourth quarter to attempt a 4th-and-12 conversation from its own 28-yard-line.

    Denver’s proposal was ultimately shot down, but appears to have new life now that the NFL is using the Pro Bowl as a testing ground. It’s almost interesting enough to get me to keep my eyes fixated on the game from start to finish.

    written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Chase Young to Sign 1-year Deal with Saints as Another DE Goes Off the Board

    If you were looking for the Chicago Bears to reunite Montez Sweat and Chase Young, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Young, a free-agent pass rusher who would've made sense as a Bears offseason target, is reportedly...

    The Bears Turned Down a Better Trade Offer to “Do Right” By Justin Fields

    Even with the Justin Fields situation resolved by way of Saturday’s trade between the Bears and Steelers, I still found myself coming back to this Ryan Poles quote from Combine Week. The bold emphasis is mine (and you’ll see why...

    More D-Line Help: Bears Add Byron Cowart to Defensive Mix

    More defensive line help is on the way for the Chicago Bears. On Saturday, the Bears added to their mix of defensive linemen by signing defensive end Jake Martin. And because the job of building out a 90-player offseason roster...

    Poles Plan, Sorting Through Fields Mess, What are the Steelers doing? And Other Bears Bullets

    The first Monday of the post-Justin Fields era is here and Bears fans are still coming to grips with it. I get it. Lost in the weekend haze was the Bears burying a trade of their former starting quarterback in...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0

    In the wake of the Justin Fields trade and week one of free agency, things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with...

    Ryan Pace, Darnell Mooney, and Kirk Cousins are Central Figures in NFL Tampering Investigation

    In news that has nothing to do with the Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields, a pair of former Bears (and someone the Bears are quite familiar with) find themselves in the middle of an NFL tampering investigation. Ryan Pace, Darnell...

    Justin Fields Trade Fallout (And Other Bears Bullets)

    Usually, I reserve Sunday's Bears Bullets to be a dumping ground for things I didn't get to in a given week. But today is different (and for obvious reasons). Here is what you missed in case you spent all day...

    Here’s What Ryan Poles Had to Say About the Justin Fields Trade

    The Justin Fields trade is still oh, so very fresh. Here is what Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles had to say about the trade in a statement issued by the team: We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in...

    It’s Over: Justin Fields Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

    So long, old friend. May the Force be with you. The Justin Fields trade is happening. So says NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who is reporting it and sharing the news on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769131145688461483 UPDATE (7:45 PM CT): It's officially...

    Justin Fields Says Goodbye and Thank You

    That Justin Fields trade sure is something. ICYMI: The Bears and Steelers have reportedly agreed on a deal to send Fields from Chicago to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. And while it could become a fourth-rounder based...

    Latest News

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

    LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

    Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

    more bears news