The NFL has officially proposed a rule to ban hip-drop tackles in response to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s directive. This rule would result in a 15-yard penalty for defenders who grab the ball carrier with both hands or wrap the ball carrier with both arms, then swivel or drop their hips or lower body and land on and trap the runner’s leg below the knees. However, this proposal has been met with opposition from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), who believes it may cause confusion among players, coaches, officials, and fans.
The concern surrounding hip-drop tackles began after a serious injury occurred in a postseason game involving then-49ers safety Jimmie Ward and then-Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in 2022. The NFL’s injury data shows that hip-drop tackles increase the risk of injury by 25 times compared to a standard tackle. In the past two seasons, there were 105 hip-drop tackles identified out of 20,000 total tackles reviewed. Players like Ryan Tannehill, Geno Smith, Mark Andrews, Tyreek Hill, and Deshaun Watson were among those who fell victim to a hip-drop tackle last season.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent has acknowledged that officiating the hip-drop tackle may be challenging, with fines being more likely than penalties. However, it is unclear whether this proposal will be approved at the upcoming annual spring meetings in Orlando. The NFLPA is calling on the NFL to reconsider implementing this rule and believes that it may lead to further confusion among players and fans alike.
