The NFL is constantly cycling. What’s en vogue gets copied around the league, the other side of the ball adjusts, we reach a (short) state of equilibrium, and then a new (or refurbished) change happens to adjust for the adjustment, and the cosmic ballet goes on.
One of my favorite aspects of doing my job is looking forward, and predicting and anticipating what the trends for the upcoming season might be. Last summer, I looked at how new kickoff rules and increased coaching aggression will change how third downs are treated in terms of running the ball, how teams will look to run the ball more to take advantage of the changing size of defenders (which they did: NFL teams ran the ball at the highest rate since 2008 and had their highest leaguewide rushing success rate on running back runs since 2004), and how there might be an increased frequency of personnel groupings featuring two or more tight ends; it’s a prediction that not only came to fruition in terms of usage and success (see: Los Angeles Rams), but also continued to be a talking point (one that’s been exhaustively covered) throughout the offseason with free agency and especially the draft.
Looking back in football is necessary, whether it’s for film review or for a player archetypes in scouting. Looking back should also be used to look forward. A head coach stewing on hot trends can leave them in the dust as the league quickly adapts and finds the next way to gain or stop an extra yard. The old saying is that the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and that applies in a lot of ways, including staying on the bleeding edge of where the NFL, and football in general, are going.
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And while there are a few scheme and play-related gizmos I want to touch on in this piece, there’s one aspect with NFL offenses that has caught my attention that I am going to be keeping an eye on throughout this season.
One of my favorite aspects of doing my job is looking forward, and predicting and anticipating what the trends for the upcoming season might be. Last summer, I looked at how new kickoff rules and increased coaching aggression will change how third downs are treated in terms of running the ball, how teams will look to run the ball more to take advantage of the changing size of defenders (which they did: NFL teams ran the ball at the highest rate since 2008 and had their highest leaguewide rushing success rate on running back runs since 2004), and how there might be an increased frequency of personnel groupings featuring two or more tight ends; it’s a prediction that not only came to fruition in terms of usage and success (see: Los Angeles Rams), but also continued to be a talking point (one that’s been exhaustively covered) throughout the offseason with free agency and especially the draft.
Looking back in football is necessary, whether it’s for film review or for a player archetypes in scouting. Looking back should also be used to look forward. A head coach stewing on hot trends can leave them in the dust as the league quickly adapts and finds the next way to gain or stop an extra yard. The old saying is that the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and that applies in a lot of ways, including staying on the bleeding edge of where the NFL, and football in general, are going.
Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament
And while there are a few scheme and play-related gizmos I want to touch on in this piece, there’s one aspect with NFL offenses that has caught my attention that I am going to be keeping an eye on throughout this season.
4 months ago
