Expecting backlash from special teams coaches and others opposed to the change, McKay explained why the league believed it was in its best interests to accept the proposal.
“It’s never easy for special teams coaches. They trained it a certain way, they think they have an advantage, so they’re not going to be happy with changes like that,” McKay told Battista, “but the changes had to be made because we’re in ours Head have the data saying it should be done.
The rule was originally proposed by the league’s competition committee in March for consideration at the annual league meeting as the NFL continues to work to reduce injuries in special-team games.
The proposal was submitted for further discussion in March. Two months later, the owners voted for the club at the Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis.
“In our opinion, this is a rule that had to be passed,” McKay told reporters Tuesday. “We had to sit it out for a year, look at the data and think about what the future of kickoff would be like. So that was sort of the path we took. That doesn’t mean that coaches and/or players don’t have negative feelings.” I expect that will not be the case because change always means looking at things differently – and I understand that. But in our case, we will be guided by the health and safety data and that is what will inform us about the submission of rule proposals.”