NFL's New Rule to Address Controversial Hip-Drop Tackle Draws Mixed Reactions

The NFL's new rule banning the hip-drop tackle has sparked debate, with some players expressing concerns about it hindering defenders while others acknowledge its safety benefits.

The NFL has implemented a new rule for the upcoming season, aiming to enhance player safety by prohibiting the hip-drop tackle. This move has elicited mixed reactions from players, both current and former.

The hip-drop tackle involves a defender wrapping their arms around the ball carrier and then dropping their hips, causing the ball carrier's legs and feet to get pinned. This maneuver has been associated with injuries, as evidenced by the 15 players who missed time last season due to hip-drop tackles.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, known for his resilience on the field, expressed his thoughts on the rule, which will result in a 15-yard penalty if enforced. While he acknowledges the potential benefits for offensive players, Kittle raised concerns about excessive penalties.

"When you watch football, that tackle injures people, I just don't think, very often," Kittle stated. "My biggest concern from it is that tackle probably happens a lot, and people bounce up. And no one thinks twice about it. What I just don't want to have happen is multiple penalties are getting called in situations where a penalty doesn't need to be called."

Others share Kittle's apprehension, especially considering the real-time judgment required by referees. Some worry that discretionary calls at critical moments could impact game outcomes. Additionally, a third replay challenge approved at the NFL owners meetings could potentially slow down games.

NFL executive Jeff Miller cited statistics showing a 65% increase in hip-drop tackles last season, emphasizing the need for the new rule to protect players. Kittle acknowledged the severity of the injuries but expressed uncertainty about how to effectively prevent them without restricting defenders.

"I get it. Those injuries are tough, and I don't really know how to stop it," Kittle said. "I don't know how to tell defenders how to tackle, especially when a guy is running away from you, and you have to dive from the side. I'm not entirely sure what you want defenders to do, but I know the league is trying to do things to keep players safe. So, I think it's going to have to be a healthy conversation of when to make the call and when not to make the call so it's not a penalty-filled game."

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown empathizes with defenders, recognizing the challenges they will face trying to avoid hip-drop tackles. However, he supports the league's efforts to prioritize player safety.

"I feel for the players that do play defense because I feel like they're not trying to hip-drop tackle," St. Brown said. "It just kind of happens naturally. As an offensive player, I've seen dudes get hurt in games. I've seen it on TV. It's definitely a dangerous tackle as an offender when you have the ball in your hand and someone does tackle like that.

"As a football player, when I'm watching the plays, I can tell it's going to be a dangerous tackle before he even falls. So, I understand what the league is doing."

While Kittle acknowledges the potential benefits for his team if they receive additional penalties, he also worries about the impact on his teammates. He expressed hope that the rule would be implemented judiciously, avoiding unnecessary penalties.

"I'm pretty sure I've been tackled like that a handful of times, and I didn't even notice it," Kittle explained. "Next time I get tackled like that and I hop right back up and there's a penalty flag for 15 yards, I'll be like, 'Well, that's convenient for me, but I don't really know what the guy did wrong.'"

"So, they're going to have to continually look at it, see when to throw the flag, when not to throw the flag because, at the end of the day, we're playing football. The point of the game is to score touchdowns and get tackles. We'll just have to see where the balance is."

Past rule changes have sparked similar debates in the NFL, but the league typically adapts over time to protect players. Whether the hip-drop tackle ban will significantly alter the game remains to be seen, but Kittle hopes it will not disrupt its fundamental nature.

"I think there's been adjustments made before where people are up in arms about [something], and it ended up being not that big of a deal," Kittle said. "I'm hoping it's one of those things where [the flag] is where it needs to be called, and when it doesn't need to be called, they let it go."

"I'm glad they're trying to protect the players," St. Brown added. "It's kinda tough as a defender to not try to bring someone down, and in the back of your mind say, 'Oh, I can't hip drop tackle.' At the same time, it does protect the player safety, and I play offense. They're protecting us, I'm happy."