The NFL Competition Committee may decide to devalue All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey, one of the Dallas Cowboys’ most valuable assets.
In preparation for the NFL owners meetings in Orlando next month, the committee recently convened to examine potential changes to the kickoff regulations. In the 2023 season, kickoff returns were a meager 22 percent, meaning that at times they were just time wasters. Out of the thirteen kickoffs in Super Bowl LVII, all of them were booted into or out of the end zone for touchbacks.
Owners must walk a fine line in order to maintain kickers’ participation in the “foot”ball game. However, returns had twice as many concussions as any other play in the sport.
According to a report published on Sunday by NFL.com, the committee is considering using the XFL model, which arranges the coverage and return teams to be five yards apart but far downfield from the kicker. Returns are permitted per XFL rules, however full-field, full-sprint collisions, which result in numerous collisions and injuries, are not.
Because of Auburn’s powerful legs, the rookie kicker frequently booted unreturnable kickoffs that forced opponents to start at the 25-yard line, which benefited the Cowboys.In terms of touchback percentage (91%) and total touchbacks (99), Aubrey led the NFL. The Pro Bowl player had an incredible 19 more touchbacks than the next closest kicker, veteran Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens.
Naturally, Aubrey was concerned with both quantity and quality. With 36 made field goals and only two missed, he topped the league in this category. He also made 49 out of 52 extra point attempts.
Next week, the NFL Competition Committee is anticipated to reconvene to discuss kickoffs and “hip-drop” tackles, among other things.
