During the late stages of the Steelers’ 27-20 Week 9 win over the Colts, CBS Sports analyst JJ Watt addressed one of the NFL’s current biggest in-game issues. Indianapolis had just scored a touchdown to reduce its deficit from 27-17. The Colts were forced to declare an onside-kick attempt with only 4:30 left to play. With one timeout, they had declared that this was something the team had not attempted in nine years. To no surprise, it was recovered easily by the Steelers who won the game.Watt said what everyone watching that game was thinking. [of recovering an onside kick] Watt, the future Hall of Fame defense end, who called the game for CBS, said that the number of touchdowns has dropped significantly. “I personally am a proponent of the fourth and 20 [alternative].
“I think there should be a way to increase that percentage a bit more. It’s nothing crazy, just a return to a level where you aren’t automatically out of the game.”Watt was alluding to the fourth-and-15 proposal that may finally be gaining some momentum from the NFL, given this season’s low success rate of onside kicks.At this point, the odds of recovering an onside kick is about as good as winning the lottery. The Colts attempted an onside kick against Pittsburgh after teams only had converted 2 out of 26 onside attempts in this season. That’s a miserable 7.7% rate.
The NFL needs to solve this problem by the 2026 season. Brees, who was asked about Watt’s suggestion to implement an alternative onside kick that would allow teams to convert a 4th-and-20 to keep possession of the ball after scoring, was not just in favor of the idea but he also gave his own version of how the solution could be implemented.Brees said, “How about compromising and going with like a 4th-and-17 option or something?” He was reminded by the UFL’s current fourth-and-12.
Twelve is not enough. Even 15 yards might be too little, because the majority of routes – like deep in and deep out – are about 15, 16 feet. This is just within that range.”If it was fourth-and-17 you’d be like, Ah, OK. You’ve got something more creative. My vote is that. I’m voting fourth-and-17 to replace the onside Kick, or you can make a decision — either way you choose.”.
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His proposal would have the offense attempt the fourth and 17 play from their 30-yard-line.
Brees explained: “Even if you kick it inside, and don’t get the first down you are still giving the ball away to the opposing team at the 40 or the 45 yard line, just like kicking the ball onside.” “I believe it’s about the same.Colts QB Daniel Jones, among others, is already onboard with the alternative of an onside kick.”I’m sure that as a quarterback you would want to have the fourth-and whatever in the game. Jones said. “You’d like to be able to play the game and remain on the field.”
“Onside Kicks are hard. I have never kicked an “onside kick.” According to the statistics, I believe recovering an onside is not easy. I would like to have a shot at the fourth down.It’s no surprise that a player on the offensive would want a second chance to get the ball in the final minutes of the game. What was surprising was the reaction of Saints linebacker Demario Davis when he was asked about the possibility of having to go back on the field to prevent the opposing team from retaining possession.Davis replied, “I would not be against that.” “It would work essentially as an onside-kick with a better chance of being successful and add more excitement to a game.”
Davis noted that while this change gives offenses an additional chance with the football, it also provides defensive players a new opportunity to shine.He said that defensive players would be excited because they have a chance to make an interception or sack.Davis agrees with Watt that this change will make games more thrilling. It is for this reason, he says, that he wants the league to make his former teammates’ idea a realty.
“I think that it makes for an even more exciting game,” Davis, who is sporting special cleats at this weekend to highlight the partnership between his academy and Stand Together. “I’m pro NFL.”I am a defensive player but I will pass myself over for an exciting game or one more offensive play in critical minutes.”
2025-11-18 19:22:34
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