The onside kick alternative rule proposal language has been updated

We have been covering the Philadelphia Eagles’ rule proposal to give NFL team’s an onside kick alternative (twice a game) extensively here at Arrowhead Pride — ever since Patrick Mahomes hinted that he did not seem to think fourth-and-15 provided much of a challenge.

We confirmed last Wednesday that teams did not have to be trailing in order to use the alternative, and word broke this Wednesday that there have been some slight changes to the proposal.

Here is the update, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer:

And NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero chimed in with official language:

The regulation-time note prevents teams from using the play to end the game if they hit a field goal and try to keep possession.

The “untimed down” means teams can’t use the play to drain the last few seconds of a game if they are winning. We saw this type of play in Super Bowl, when Mahomes threw the ball up on fourth-and-25 rather than punting so that the clock would hit zero and the game would be over.

Now that the rule’s language is set, NFL owners will vote virtually on Thursday. 24 of 32 owners will need to approve the rule for it to pass.