The now-infamous hip-drop tackle was a major talking point during the 2023 NFL season with multiple offensive players finding themselves injured.
It led to a debate among players and the league office about a potential ban the competition committee could put forth this offseason.
None of this is dying down following a report earlier on Thursday indicating that said committee has proposed the elimination of the hip-drop tackles starting in 2024.
This proposal obviously isn’t sitting well with the NFLPA and its players. The union released a statement later on Thursday clearly stating that it is against any proposed rule change.
“The players oppose any attempt by the NFL to implement a rule prohibiting a ‘swivel hip-drop” tackle. While the NFLPA remains committed to improvements to our game with health and safety in mind, we cannot support a rule change that causes confusion for us as players, for coaches, for officials and especially, for fans. We call on the NFL, again, to reconsider implementing this rule.”
NFLPA statement on proposed hip-drop tackle rule change
Perhaps, the best-known player to be impacted by this specific tackle was Baltimore Ravens star Mark Andrews a season ago. Though, it has been a major point of contention.
NFL players speak out against banning of hip-drop tackles
New Orleans Saints star Cameron Jordan had a back-and-forth with retired cornerback Richard Sherman on social media Thursday. Their conversation was beyond interesting in that it’s coming from actual current/former players.
It’s going to continue being a major issue, especially if the new rule is adopted at next week’s league meetings.
The NFL will have to define the new rule in a way that doesn’t impact the actual health of defensive players. This has been an issue with other rule changes that have been meant to protect players on the other side of the ball.