New on SI: 4th-and-15 Play To Replace Onside Kick At Pro Bowl

The NFL is testing out an alternative to the onside kick at the Pro Bowl.

The NFL will try out an alternative to the onside kick at this year's Pro Bowl: A fourth-and-15 play. The league announced the initiative in a statement on Tuesday.

Essentially, scoring teams will have an opportunity to convert a fourth-and-15 from their own 25-yard line to retain the ball. If they do not convert, the opposing team will take over on the dead-ball spot. 

The rule was proposed by the Denver Broncos this past offseason, but the league voted against it. Rule-change propositions must receive a supermajority among owners, 24 out of 32, in order to pass. 

With the rule's implementation at the Pro Bowl, there is still a chance that the legislation could be introduced for a vote sometime in the future.

Since the NFL disallowed running starts on onside kicks, its success rate has drastically declined. In 2017, 21% of kicks were converted. After the rule changed in 2018, that number declined to 8%. This season, it was 13%.

The NFL banned kickoffs from the Pro Bowl in 2015. After a scoring play, or to start the first and third quarters, teams can choose to either start the ball at their own 25-yard line or trigger this new fourth-and-15 rule.