NFL Partners with the XFL to increase opportunities for player development

The NFL and XFL join together to improve the health and safety of players while providing increased opportunities for development.

The NFL and the XFL have officially joined operations to increase opportunities for player development as well as combine efforts to improve the health and safety of the players in America’s favorite sport.

Unlike the NHL, MLB, or NBA, the NFL doesn’t have a minor league affiliate where players who aren’t prepared for the big stage can go to develop and improve their game. Likewise, for players in college who never really had a chance to showcase their abilities, there are no real opportunities for players to get noticed no matter how much work they put in. This is where the XFL comes into play.

For guys looking for another shot at the NFL, or even their first shot, the XFL provides an almost pipeline system for teams looking to improve their lineup with guys who are actively football ready. The XFL allows these below-the-radar players to maintain their edge in football without accumulating rust while also giving NFL teams up-to-date film on their game.

The NFL and XFL join together to improve the health and safety of players while providing increased opportunities for development.

This is one of the biggest things that the NFL is missing. Players that are taken in the draft or who graduate from college who aren’t ready for the NFL could be sent to an XFL team for development. It’s a win-win for both parties; the team doesn’t have to force a player who can’t handle the game into a role on the team while allowing the player to gain confidence and be ready for when the time comes.

Taking a look at the health and safety goals for this coalition, the XFL, in its first year of competition, already showcased ways the NFL can improve the safety of the players without compromising the integrity of the game, most notably being kickoffs.

It’s no secret that teams in the NFL are worried about putting their best players in on special teams due to the increased injury risk.

The XFL’s kickoff rule substantially lowers the risk to players on kickoffs due to an ingenious way to improve kickoffs: “The kicker kicks from the 30-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone. The coverage team lines up on the return side 35-yard line and the return team lines up on the 30-yard line” (XFL official rule book).

This alteration to the most integrable play in football allows the opportunity for big plays to still unfold while eliminating the high-speed collisions that players suffer on kickoffs.

Through these small advancements in the game like an improved kickoff, the NFL will vastly elevate the competition and safety of those who are gifted enough to play in it.

At the end of the day, their health and safety are more important than anything, and joining forces with the XFL to find new ways to improve these aspects of football will have a positive domino effect across all levels.