It seems like Bill Belichick is not a big proponent of the NFL’s revised kickoff touchback rules.
The league recently voted to allow any fair catch on a kickoff below the 25-yard line to be brought out to the 25-yard line, which is the way the rule is enforced at the college level.
Critics have come out and said the change basically eliminates kickoffs as a whole. Belichick was asked about the rule on Wednesday.
“We’ll see about all that. I know Coach [John] Harbaugh was pretty involved in that, Coach [Andy] Reid. I think they voiced some comments on it. I probably agree with the things they said,” he told reporters, via PFT.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said Belichick was one of four head coaches who backed the special teams coaches against the new rule.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick referenced what Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on the kickoff rules change: “They voiced some comments on it, I would agree with what they said.”
Belichick was one of 4 HCs backing the special teams coaches’ position.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 31, 2023
Harbaugh had previously said the Ravens voted against the rule, and Reid also came out against it.
“The fair catch rule, we had a chance to weigh in on that with all the special teams coaches,” Harbaugh said last week. “We had a long talk and discussion about that. We weren’t for it. We voted against it. We think it’s going to create more high-speed head trauma than not having it in there. That’s our position on it. But we’ll see. They want to give it a shot and take a look at it.”