State of the USFL: Embracing Kickoff Returns, More Competitiveness in Season 2

Eric Williams

NFC West writer

While the NFL recently introduced a fair kickoff rule in what is seen nationally as a move toward eventual elimination from the game, the USFL went in a different direction.

This season, the USFL moved the kickoff five yards back from the 25- to the 20-yard line, a change designed to generate more returns, according to USFL chief of officiating Mike Pereira.

“We wanted more kick-off,” Pereira said during an update on the competition this week. “We wanted to return 90% of our kickoffs.”

Over seven weeks of play, the USFL met that goal with 93.5% of kickoffs returned, compared to 38% in the NFL last season. The USFL had 81% back from kickoffs last year.

Three kickoffs have been returned for touchdowns this season, including two by Birmingham receiver Deon Cain. Memphis Showboats receiver Derrick Dillon also returned a missed 59-yard field goal attempt from Pittsburgh Mauler’s kicker Chris Blewitt 109 yards for a score.

As an added benefit, Pereira said the increase in returns has not resulted in more injuries.

To help with player safety, the USFL has implemented a rule in which the returning team must have a minimum of eight players, or a maximum of nine, start in a box within 10 yards of the ball’s placement at kickoff until the ball is stepped. This means that cover team players run across the field with the cover team instead of waiting for them further down the field, reducing the speed of the collision when the sides meet.

Conversely, NFL owners last month passed a resolution allowing players to catch kickoffs fairly, with possession beginning at the team’s own 25-yard line if the fair catch is behind the team’s 25-yard line.

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The adoption of the new kickoff rule confused some NFL head coaches.

“I didn’t like the change,” Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters this week. “We are a little worried about the game, but the other side is also worried about the rest. There are some numbers that we can maybe change and help some people not to get injured.”

“It’s really hard not to look in that direction and support it. We have to support our guys and take care of them. That’s the way we voted. But I fought. We worked really hard on it.”

In addition to kickoffs, the USFL has been much better at kicking field goals this season.

In 2022, the USFL finished with a 67.9% field goal percentage, 83.6% on extra points. For seven weeks this season, those numbers are up to 84% on field goals and 87.7% on extra points.

“We have three kicks back for touchdowns,” Pereira said. “Special teams are a big part of our league. Last year, at the beginning of the year, it seemed like we were having a hard time scoring an extra point. This year we had a game where we scored eight field goals, and they were in the middle, and they weren’t short chippies. So our kick game has been a big part of this.”

Third QB line is a hit

The USFL will also continue to use the three quarterback rule, making a third quarterback eligible on game day and available in the event of an injury to the first two quarterbacks on the active roster. The third quarterback does not count towards the active 40-man roster.

If the emergency quarterback plays in the first three quarters, the other two quarterbacks on the roster are ineligible to return. But if the third quarterback comes in in the fourth quarter, the other two quarterbacks can still play.

“All I know is what a miserable experience it was to be in the broadcast booth in Philadelphia, with the 49ers playing the Eagles and watching the 49ers’ hopes shattered by one injury,” said Pereira. “And so, I think, as usual, rule changes are reactionary. I think this is a change that we looked at and said we didn’t want to be in that position.”

The New Jersey Generals nearly had to use their third quarterback when De’Andre Johnson was rushed to the hospital with a head injury last week, leaving Kyle Lauletta as the only healthy quarterback on the active roster.

The NFL also recently brought back the emergency third quarterback rule.

“We just want to protect ourselves,” said Daryl Johnston, vice president of football operations for the USFL. “I think the NFL is doing the same for something that is unlikely to happen, but at least it’s taking that one situation and protecting us from that.”

Playoff dates announced

The USFL also announced playoff dates for the upcoming postseason. The North Division championship game will be held in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The South Division championship game will be held in Birmingham or Memphis on Sunday, June 25 at 7pm ET on FOX.

And the USFL Championship will be held in Canton on Saturday, July 1 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Through seven games, all eight teams remain in postseason contention with three games remaining.

[2023 USFL playoff picture through Week 7]

Johnston pointed to the addition of four new coaches – Ray Horton, John DeFilippo, Curtis Johnson and Mike Nolan – who add a wealth of experience and create a better competitive environment for the league.

“It was really a testament to what we’re trying to do when someone like Mike Nolan calls you and says I hear there’s a possible opening with the Michigan Panthers and I’d be very interested in that,” Johnston said. “That speaks volumes and gives us a lot of satisfaction and all the hard work we’ve put into this as you have people of that caliber willing to join you on your journey in Year 2.”

Asked about re-seeding teams in the postseason by doing away with the divisions and taking only the teams with the top four records, Johnston was not interested.

“When you look at the NFL and you see those 7-9 teams get into the playoffs, they often win that first game,” Johnston said. “That’s a team that is usually running at the end of the season and they’ve had to scratch and scratch to get to 7-9. They’re playing good football.

“I’ve seen the Carolina Panthers do it. I’ve seen the New Orleans Saints get upset by the Seattle Seahawks, which has a very talented football team. Those teams under .500 are dangerous. So to me I don’t think that really nice. I like the more traditional ones – we have a North division and we have a South division. Take care of your business for the first 10 weeks, then you have no complaints if you don’t make the playoffs. “

Increasing the NFL pipeline

The USFL had 60 players signed NFL contracts last season, with 24 players on active rosters or exhibition teams. Johnston said he is hopeful of putting more players in the NFL pipeline for the coming year.

Johnston said one of the underrated positions in the USFL is the stacked linebacker position. He pointed to Gabriel Sewell Jr. with the Philadelphia Stars, Frank Ginda with the Michigan Panthers, Quentin Poling with the Stallions, and Kyahva Tezino with the Pittsburgh Maulers as linebackers who have good seasons.

“It’s clear that KaVontae Turpin is our greatest ambassador, with everything he’s accomplished with the Dallas Cowboys and all the accolades he’s received,” said Johnston. “I think that shows the need for a league like the USFL, when we can let a player discover not just or change that narrative, but really how the NFL sees you as a scout or a GM. We’re giving you that opportunity to change that.”

Eric D. Williams has covered the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN, and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @eric_d_williams.

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