In recent years, the NFL has made a lot of rule changes to protect its players, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, even though not all of those changes were popular among fans or players. And it looks like the league is considering yet another unpopular rule change to protect offensive players.
The hip drop style of tackle has become controversial over the years as it’s led to some high-profile injuries like the one to Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in the playoffs back in 2023.
According to a report from Judy Battista of the NFL Network, the league’s competition committee is moving forward with banning that style of tackle.
On hip drop tackles, the committee is still working on getting the right language for a rule, but a source said they are “aligned” on getting it out of the game.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 25, 2024
“On hip drop tackles, the committee is still working on getting the right language for a rule, but a source said they are ‘aligned’ on getting it out of the game,” Battista said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Obviously, banning this style of tackle would help prevent some injuries from occurring, but it’s safe to say that this move would not be popular among NFL fans.
This is going to be an absolute nightmare. Just gonna be handing everyone 15 yards all game on yet another judgement call. https://t.co/QZNvKgVm7z
— B.J. (@bj_all_day80) February 26, 2024
This is garbage
— Lancelott (@LancelottMusic) February 26, 2024
The sport will be completely unwatchable within five years https://t.co/fu63sh2M8l
— Austin Graham (@TrainStation22) February 26, 2024
You thought you hated where NFL reffing was at before…. https://t.co/eMQyWUkpVD
— Cole Craycraft (@ColeCraycraft) February 25, 2024
I feel bad for defensive players. The rules have already been have slated in favor of the offense for the better part of the last decade. They’re making it essentially impossible to play football. https://t.co/RZG5FvyPDk
— Tanner James (@tjdissect) February 26, 2024
I think I know what a hip drop tackle is
But this seems like it's going to end badly in the hands of NFL officials https://t.co/Uu2BqcRuaO
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) February 25, 2024
Well, there goes tackle football. Guess we’re going two-hand touch or flag ASAP. It was a good run while it lasted!
— Beelzebubba (@HawkStrologer) February 26, 2024
We’ll have to see whether or not this rule change ultimately happens, but it seems likely.
