Madden 24: New NFL kickoff rule could render Scum Kick useless

Every offseason the NFL tries to add new rules for either player safety or to make the game more enjoyable. The 2023 offseason proved to be no different. Of all the new rule changes the NFL made this offseason, the big one that sticks out is the new fair catch rule on kickoffs. With this new rule in place, it is only a matter of time before it comes to Madden 24.

What is the new NFL Fair Catch Kickoff Rule?

The new Fair Catch Rules states that any ball fair caught inside the 25-yard line will automatically place the ball at the 25-yard line. That means if you fair catch the ball at the one yard line on the kickoff, it will act like a touchback and the ball will be brought back out to the 25-yard line.

The reason as to why the NFL decided to pass this rule is simply because of player safety. According to the NFL, this rule change will only be in effect for one season. However, if it goes over successfully, this rule can be made permanent for years to come.

If you take a look at rules changes that occurred in the MLB over the past couple of seasons, the ghost runner that starts on second base at the start of extra innings was only supposed to be temporary and now it is a permanent rule.

The new NFL rule change won’t make a huge amount of difference in real NFL games. Most of the time the kicker just kicks it out of the back of the endzone for a touchback. But it could have a major impact if it’s implemented in Madden 24.

When you are playing a Madden video game, there is sometimes strategy on the kickoff because of the way you can defend the return. There is also something called the “Scum Kick.” The Scum Kick refers to when you kick the ball really high off a kickoff to somewhere inside the 15-yard line. This makes it where your fullback has to return the kick and it makes you more susceptible to a fumble or even not advancing the ball very far. With this new NFL rule, that would not be the case anymore.

EA Sports love to keep Madden up to date with the current rules. I would be kind of surprised if Madden 24 didn’t feature this new rule change. If it isn’t in the game at the start, it will make it at some point in the season. Plus, with all of the complaints of the “Scum Kick,” that gives EA Sports even more reason to implement this new rule.