In the NFL and football as a whole, there are a lot of rules. Some rules make sense; others don’t. However, there are some that are controversial and polarizing.
One of those polarizing rules is the NFL’s touchback rule. What is the rule, and what about it makes it controversial?
What Is the NFL’s Touchback Rule?
The NFL’s touchback rule references the result of a fumble out of bounds in the end zone. If a player loses control and the ball goes out of bounds after entering the end zone, it is then ruled a touchback for the other team. However, if the ball goes out of bounds before the goal line, the offense keeps possession at the spot of the fumble.
Additionally, if the ball nicks the pylon, it is also ruled a touchback, with the defense getting the ball at the 20-yard line. The rule is the same in college football as well.
Many believe the rule should be removed. “It’s the worst rule in football,” said Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. On the other hand, many believe the rule is fair. “Ridiculous. Don’t fumble at the goal line. Very easy,” said Alex Kirshner of Split Zone Duo on X (formerly known as Twitter).
However, there is one league that will be changing the rule. In the UFL, the merger of the USFL and XFL, a fumble through the end zone will not be a turnover to the defense. Instead, the offense will keep the ball at the spot of the fumble.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent was asked about the rule earlier this year. When asked, he told reporters that the league would look at the current rules regarding fumbles out of the end zone. However, there is no word on if the rule will be changed.
The rule is somewhat similar to an even weirder former rule. Once upon a time, a forward pass that fell incomplete in the end zone would also result in a touchback for the defense.
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The NFL season will end in early February, meaning executives and owners will have a chance to review and potentially change the rule at some point in the offseason. One major rule change made in recent years was overtime rules in the postseason.
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