No more ambush, new rule forces teams to let the other team know they are doing an onside kick

The tweet in the OP is missing some important context.

This proposed change is part of a much larger change:



Thus, the reason teams would have to announce the onside kick in advance is because it would effect the way all of the players are lined up before the kick.

I know it seems dumb (and maybe it is), but it's actually part of an effort to bring back the excitement & relevancy of kickoffs in general.

Now, why they're only allowing it in the fourth quarter, I have no idea.

Read More: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl...uld only be allowed,onside kick ahead of time.