It’s the rule that got NFL fans heated all over again: If you’re an offensive player and you fumble the ball out of the end zone, it’s a turnover and a touchback that hands the football to the opposing team.
It bit Justin Jefferson in Week 2 of the 2023 season, and has been a problem in the past — why does the ball have to go back to the opposing team when it’s basically a fumble out of bounds? That’s a HUGE reward for the defense and opposing team!
The punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
So here are some ideas to fix it, once and for all:
1
It should be an "offensive touchback"
I can’t take credit for this one. Here’s ESPN’s Evan Cohen, who says the ball should go back to the 20- or 25-yard line in the other team’s zone. If the ball was outside the 25-yard line? It’s an incomplete pass.
“You cannot find a rule in the NFL, or any other sport, that is DUMBER than this rule!”
Do you agree with @EvCoRadio about the NFL’s fumble/touchback rule? #UnSportsmanLike pic.twitter.com/GcvIW16rM5
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) September 15, 2023
2
The ball is placed at the spot of the fumble
That would be at the goal line. Just like any other fumble out of bounds!
3
Place the ball at the 10-yard line
Less punitive, still a punishment.
4
Put the ball at the 5-yard line
I don’t love this one, but OK!
5
Take care of the football near the goal line!
This is what I see a lot of tweets about. And to them I say: I disagree. The ball shouldn’t go back to a defense that didn’t really earn it on that play.
