In early 2022, the XFL positioned itself as a testing ground for American football innovation. It aimed to become a proving lab for rule changes, new technology, and officiating developments that could benefit the sport at large — especially its big brother, the NFL. Now, as we move through 2025, this vision is beginning to show real potential.
With several seasons behind it, the XFL has provided a consistent platform for testing a range of ideas — many of which are catching the attention of fans, analysts, and NFL insiders alike. Under rules crafted by Sam Schwartzstein, former head of football operations and strategy, the XFL has managed to keep the spirit of the game intact while making it faster, safer, and arguably more entertaining.
The question now facing NFL stakeholders in 2025 is straightforward: Which of these XFL innovations are worth importing into the world’s most-watched football league?
Below, we take a detailed look at six standout rules from the XFL that could breathe new life into NFL playbooks and broadcasts.
A Safer, Smarter Kickoff Formation
XFL Rule (2025): Kickers boot the ball from their own 30-yard line. Meanwhile, the rest of the kicking team lines up at the receiving team’s 35, just 5 yards from the blockers. Only the kicker and returner may move until the ball is caught or hits the ground. Touchbacks are placed at the 35-yard line.
NFL Rule (2025): Kickoffs still originate from the 35-yard line, and touchbacks are brought out to the 25. Blocking formations are heavily regulated, and high-speed collisions remain a concern despite ongoing tweaks.
Why It Matters Now
In the NFL, kickoffs have become a largely ceremonial part of the game — a moment typically followed by a touchback, with little fanfare. This wasn’t always the case. Before the league’s 2018 safety overhaul, onside kicks and long returns were exciting, game-altering plays. However, they came at the cost of elevated concussion risk due to high-speed impacts.
The XFL has successfully engineered a compromise: keep the play alive while dramatically reducing risk. In fact, more than 90% of XFL kickoffs are returned, compared to fewer than 40% in the NFL. And yet, injury rates have dropped.
The reduced sprinting distance before impact has had the desired effect. The formation looks unusual at first — with 20 players frozen in place while the ball hangs in the air — but the result is both safer and more engaging. In 2023, fans saw exciting moments like Darrius Shepherd’s 80-yard return for the St. Louis Battlehawks, showing that the play can still electrify.
The NFL is still fully committed to putting player safety first and making the fan experience better in 2025. As the league changes, managers and the competition committee are always looking for new ways to keep the game exciting while also lowering the risk of injuries. The kickoff, which is usually one of the riskiest plays on the field, has been talked about. With all of these talks going on, it might be time to look at this choice again with fresh eyes, like how fans and players are finding new ways to have fun off the field.
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In 2025, the NFL wants to find a balance between history and progress. The league’s focus on player safety and fan engagement is part of a larger cultural shift toward safer, smarter ways to enjoy sports, both on and off the field. Looking back at the start rules and noticing the growth of platforms like Hidden Jack shows how new technology can make things more fun while also keeping everyone safe.
Fourth-and-15 Instead of Onside Kicks
XFL Rule (2025): Teams trailing in the fourth quarter may attempt a 4th-and-15 play from their own 25-yard line instead of an onside kick. If successful, they retain possession.
NFL Rule (2025): Teams may only attempt a standard onside kick, which has an extremely low success rate under current rules.
A Realistic Comeback Mechanism
Since the NFL’s 2018 rules made successful onside kicks virtually extinct (recovery rates dropped to as low as 3.5% in some seasons), teams trailing late in the game have faced an uphill climb. The XFL’s solution? Replace chance with challenge.
This “make-or-break” fourth-down play is simple for fans to understand and injects genuine drama. In the XFL’s 2023 season, teams converted two of six attempts — aligning more closely with historical onside kick rates pre-2018.
It’s an idea the NFL has flirted with. The Pro Bowl has tested variations, and clubs like the Philadelphia Eagles have floated proposals. But in 2025, with increasing public appetite for more balanced late-game dynamics, the timing could be right for a serious trial.
Variable Point Options After Touchdowns
XFL Rule (2025): After a touchdown, teams can choose a 1-point attempt from the 2-yard line, a 2-point try from the 5, or a 3-point play from the 10-yard line.
NFL Rule (2025): Teams may kick an extra point from the 15-yard line or go for two from the 2-yard line.
More Strategy, Less Predictability
This rule alone has transformed how coaches manage scores. A 9-point deficit, once considered two possessions, becomes a one-score game in the XFL. Coaches now face dynamic decisions depending on the game context — a welcome departure from the often predictable extra point.
In the 2023 season, XFL teams opted for the 2-point conversion nearly 60% of the time. These layers of strategic complexity make each touchdown more exciting and influence the play-calling throughout the game.
Given that NFL teams converted traditional extra points over 90% of the time in recent years, the move to multiple post-touchdown options could energise endgame scenarios and reduce the frequency of overtime, something many stakeholders would welcome.
Faster Game Flow
XFL Rule (2025): 35-second play clock, 10-minute halftime, and coaches can communicate via helmet speakers with all skill-position players — not just the quarterback.
NFL Rule (2025): 40-second play clock, 12-minute halftime, and only the quarterback may receive audio from the coach.
Efficiency Without Losing Quality
The XFL has consistently delivered quicker games. In 2023, the average match lasted 2 hours and 46 minutes, compared to the NFL’s 3-hour average. With the addition of a dedicated official to spot the ball and expanded helmet communication, the XFL has shaved off unnecessary downtime without gutting the game.
In an era where viewer attention is hard to hold — especially on streaming platforms — these changes have proven valuable. The reduction in overall plays per game (around 8 fewer than in the NFL) hasn’t led to a drop in fan satisfaction.
If the NFL wants to cater to modern viewing habits while keeping games impactful, these adjustments offer a practical roadmap.
Coaches Can Challenge Penalties
XFL Rule (2025): Coaches are allowed one challenge per game that can be used on any officiating decision — including penalties.
NFL Rule (2025): Coaches receive two challenges per game (three if both are successful), but cannot challenge penalties.
Accountability Through Review
This is a hot-button issue. The NFL’s 2019 trial allowing challenges for pass interference was widely considered a failure. Inconsistent standards and resistance from officials made the system unworkable.
The XFL has taken a different approach. Dean Blandino, the league’s head of officiating, is empowered to “reofficiate” plays from the booth, and the clarity has been appreciated. Coaches don’t overuse the challenge, but when they do, it can have a significant impact — whether correcting a missed offensive pass interference or reversing a questionable DPI call.
With controversial calls continuing to dominate headlines in the NFL, a refined version of this rule could be the answer. One single opportunity to challenge any ruling adds a layer of fairness while avoiding excessive delays.
Final Thoughts for 2025
As the NFL continues to evolve, the XFL’s role as a laboratory for experimentation has never been more valuable. These six rules — from safety-first kickoffs to expanded challenge rights — show that it’s possible to modernise football without compromising its essence.
Some XFL changes may be too radical for the NFL to adopt wholesale. Others, like variable PAT options or the fourth-and-15 alternative, may only need fine-tuning to become viable. What’s clear is that fans appreciate innovation when it enhances the game’s flow, fairness, and strategic depth.
With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, there’s a growing sense that the league should take a serious look at what the XFL has already proven: fresh ideas can make football better.
