It seems like the rule on fumbling through the end zone is not going to change soon, despite it receiving massive backlash from fans and players. The NFL Competition Committee went over the rule on Monday to discuss if there was any need to change the rule, After several hours of discussion the Committee decided to stay with the rule and not make any change to it.
The rule is a blessing for defenses and an equally painful nightmare for the ball carriers as the rule states that if a ball is fumbled into the end zone and out of bounds, it will be a touchback and the team on the defense will get the possession of the ball.
The competition committee wants the rule to stay because according to them the player carrying the ball has to be responsible for maintaining control over the ball. This was the main reason behind the Committee not changing the rule. Any rule in the NFL that requires changes would have to go through three to four months of voting.
NFL does not have an alternative solution to the rule
CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones indicated that one of the reasons behind not changing the rule is that the NFL Committee does not have a better solution for the situation.
“At the heart of the issue, a source said, is that no one has been able to crystalize what an alternative would be,”. “And if no one cares enough to offer an alternative to the rule, then there won’t be any change to the rule.” He said.
According to reports the last time this rule was discussed was in 2017.
“There was some sentiment from clubs and fans that the rule was too punitive against the offense,” a 2018 committee report obtained by CBS Sports reads. “… After much consideration and review of the video, the Committee did not believe a rule change was necessary, believing that it is an exciting play that rewards the defense for an offensive error.”
There is a ruckus going around to change the rule but situations in which the rule is applicable do not happen very often. The 2022 season had zero end-zone fumbles that resulted in a touchback.
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