In March, the NFL adopted three new rules with the decision to ban hip-drop tackles from games garnering much attention. Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt criticized the move as did Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. NFL GOAT Tom Brady has also slammed the move saying “We’ve created a game now where only the offense can really make an impact.” However, defensive mastermind and Brady’s long-term coach, Bill Belichick has a different view.

In a recent clip that the Pat McAfee Show posted on X, Bill Belichick was involved in a conversation with the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, where the two veteran figures discussed the new policies of player safety during plays.

According to the former Patriots’ coach, “I think over the years, the NFL has done a great job of making the game safer for players. The targeting, the hip drop, there aren’t that many of them. There’s really no place for it and it’s just good to continue to keep the game safer for players.”

During the conversation, Goodell further emphasized that the technique has been responsible for a disproportionate number of injuries, saying, “When you see a play that is greater than 20 times the injury rate, and most of those injuries are pretty severe, they’re career ending or season ending, you’ve got to make the change.”

Both Brady and Belichick are of completely different minds when it comes to the ban. Brady’s offensive mind tells him that offensive players are responsible for their own security and should work on avoiding such tackles themselves. Brady had said, “It’s a thing I don’t like. I feel like we’re trying to protect people in a physical sport… if you can protect yourself in football, then it’s your responsibility to protect yourself… offense is the only way to win games now. It used to be offense, defense, and special teams.”

Alternatively, Belichick’s defensive prowess allows him to see plays where the defense can stop the offense even without using the infamous tackle. But does his argument about player safety hold weight?

The NFL has maintained that the injury rate for hip-drop tackles is 20 to 25 times higher than for a normal tackle. According to NFL.com, the tackle has been reported to have been used 230 more times in the 2023 season with 15 players being injured or missing time as a result.

Rich McKay, chair of the NFL Competition Committee, had also cited player safety as an important factor in banning the tackle. He said, “We have an obligation from a health and safety standpoint to protect players when there’s unreasonable risk of injury.” NFL’s other two changes were received without any fuss.

The first was “to protect a club’s ability to challenge a third ruling following one successful challenge and the second was “to allow for an enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession in a situation where there are fouls by both teams.​” But the hip-drop tackle ban has opened up a debate.

Many in the NFL community, particularly defensive players, are not too happy with the change in safety rules.

“Tackling Banned… allow us to do our job,” NFL players not happy with decision

Many players are claiming it’s unreasonable to police the tackle, as it mostly happens unintentionally on the defensive players’ side. Players like Jevon Holland, Saints’ DL Cam Jordan, and former DE JJ Watt were a few of the ones who didn’t embrace the major rule change.

Watt tweeted, “Just fast forward to the belts with flags on them,” when the news first broke out. Holland hit out at the decision and posted, “Breaking news: Tackling Banned.” Calais Campbell, former Defensive Player of the Year expressed his displeasure, saying, “I feel like this particular rule change, I don’t understand how you can police it the right way and allow us to do our job.” Even some of the coaches aren’t sure how the rule change will be implemented.

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Since the hip-drop penalty will not be subject to review, controversy can arise if the officials on the field miss such a violation. Raising this concern, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said, “They just have to make a judgment call when it’s 30 seconds left in the game with no timeouts and somebody is cutting on a crossing route and they’re trying to get out of bounds and a guy is trying to stop him. I don’t know what kind of tackle that’s going to be and what they’re going to have to do.”

The NFL Players Association also opposed the rule change, but the proposal passed with a unanimous vote from owners. Still, for Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton some issues remain. He questioned, “I think that’s the concern everyone has: Can we officiate it? We’re already struggling to call certain fouls.”

So far NFL’s new rule has divided opinion with even Brady and Belichick standing in opposite corners. Where do you stand on this persistent issue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.