NFL rumors: Field goal posts may narrow

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Heinz Field ground crew member makes sure the goal post in level before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL has been looking at ways to make extra points more difficult, but one change that could be just around the corner is something that would make kicks from all over the field more difficult.

According to Falcons CEO Rich McKay, there is some momentum building that the league could decide to make the field goal posts more narrow.

“We have talked about that a lot this year,” McKay said. “We have looked at it and I think it will be something that will be talked about a lot going forward. Really, that discussion gets a little past the extra point and starts getting to the actual field goal statistics themselves. We are at a place where field goals are made 86.6 percent of the time. Which is really an amazing thing because in 1970 that number was around 59 percent. We have really moved up. We have had some really good discussions about that.

“I do not think there is enough momentum to do it this year, but I think there will be discussions with the goal post going forward.”

Narrower posts would certainly increase the difficult of making a kick, but it could also cost kickers their jobs and make special teams a smaller part of the game if teams decide to pass up on longer field goal attempts because of the difficulty.

Whether or not this change happens remains to be seen, but at least the league is always looking to make the game better.

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