# NFL closes kickoff loophole after Eagles exploit rule

> NFL to shut down rulebook loophole Eagles used for kickoffs.
- Title: NFL closes kickoff loophole after Eagles exploit rule
- Summary: NFL to shut down rulebook loophole Eagles used for kickoffs. NFL will likely close rulebook loophole allowing teams to use holders without tees on kickoffs…
- Keywords: nfl, eagles, kickoff, rulebook, holder, tee, sports, closes, loophole, exploit, rule, CBS Sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-likely-to-shut-down-rulebook-kickoff-loophole-eagles
- Published: 2026-09-25T20:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nfl, eagles, kickoff, rulebook, holder, tee, sports
## Rulebook loophole
Eagles used rulebook loophole for two weeks.
## Eagles strategy
Eagles sent punter as holder for kickoffs without tees.
## Why it worked
Eagles placed ball on ground for easier kicks.
## Rulebook ambiguity
Rulebook allows holder but not tee for kickoffs.
## Bears' stance
Bears say holder must use tee for kickoffs.
## What happens next
NFL likely closes loophole after two weeks.
## Key takeaway

NFL will likely close rulebook loophole allowing teams to use holders without tees on kickoffs after Eagles exploited it for two weeks.