The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the National Football League are going through a historic change in the upcoming season. The NFL decided to spice up the kickoff play by changing the format in an attempt to create more touchdowns and game-changing plays. It was also altered in order to force kicking teams to keep the ball in play, allowing more returns. Steelers legend and former Head Coach Bill Cowher recently shared his honest opinion on the new changes, and he isn't too pleased.
Dan Beineke / NFL Photo Library
Steelers' former head coach Bill Cowher on the Pittsburgh's sidelines during a 2006 NFL game.
Cowher was more upset than anything about the new onside kick rules, rather than the actual kickoffs. Moving forward, onside kicks are no longer allowed before the fourth quarter or if the kicking team is ahead. On top of that, there will no longer be any surprise onside kick attempts. Surprise onside kicks have a special place in Cowher's heart though.
In the beginning of 1996, the Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys faced off in Super Bowl XXX, where Cowher surprised America's team. Pittsburgh was down in the fourth quarter with about seven minutes to go, and recovered a surprise onside kick. The recovery even led to a Pittsburgh touchdown, but the Black and Gold still came up short of the victory. Cowher expressed his disbelief in the new changes to the onside kick.
"As a guy who used an onside kick in the Super Bowl, it made me very sad when I saw that happen," Cowher told CBS Sports reporters. "I still think it's an exciting play. I understand the numbers are low. But on an onside kick the numbers should be low. It's a unique play. It's a hard play. It's a strategical part of the game. It slows down the front line. That's why I always fought for the onside kick as part of the competition committee when I was on it. If anybody thought of taking it away, I brought up my play in the Super Bowl, but unfortunately I'm not in the league anymore so I don't get the chance this time."
Don Emmert / Getty Images
Steelers' former Head Coach Bill Cowher expressing his anger to the referees in a 2002 match.
The new rule changes regarding kickoffs will be a major adjustment for all 32 NFL teams and will take time to adjust to. It's going to seem weird for awhile, but it's supposed to create more excitement in the long run. It's important to note that they will only be in place for the 2024 season to start.
Steelers Got All-Time Great For Kick Returner In Preparation For New Rules
Almost as soon as the new kickoff rules were passed, the Steelers decided to find a new kick returner. Luckily for them, one of the greatest returners of all time was a free agent. Cordarrelle Patterson, who is going into his 12th season, is ninth all-time in kick return yards (7,989) and holds the record for the most touchdowns returned with nine. The Steelers signed Patterson to a two-year deal worth $6 million.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' new kick returner and running back Cordarrelle Patterson during mandatory minicamp in 2024.
The Steelers haven't had any special play-makers as far as returners go in quite some time. The offense could get some better field position with Patterson's explosive returns, too. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been super optimistic all offseason about Patterson and how he'll perform in the new format. Coincidentally, if Patterson takes the field as the starting kick returner, his debut with the new rule will go against the last team he played with, the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers and the Falcons face off on Sunday, September 8th at 1:00 ET, where Pittsburgh will travel as underdogs. What do you think of Cowher's thoughts on the new kicking changes? Do you agree with Pittsburgh's former coach? How many touchdown returns will Patterson have for the Steelers this season? Let us know in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
