NFL adjusts rule to address 'cheat motion'

The NFL has adjusted the rulebook for 2024 to hinder so-called "speed motion" -- "cheat motion" to its detractors, NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk reported Thursday.

The pre-snap technique showed up in the NFL last season, with offensive players who are in motion gathering their momentum by leaning toward the line of scrimmage just before the snap.

The offensive wrinkle is believed to have been started by the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of last season when wide receiver Tyreek Hill leaned slightly up field just at the snap.

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams started using the strategy immediately thereafter.

The rule for players in motion was adjusted in the most recent rulebook to read, in part: "Any eligible backfield player who changes his stance does not have to come to a complete stop prior to the snap, as long as his actions are not abrupt (false start) or forward (illegal motion)."

Rams head coach Sean McVay talked about the Rams' use of the ploy early last season.

"It does establish a certain amount of momentum that's probably the closest thing to (the CFL)," McVay said. "There's nothing quite like a full speed towards the line of scrimmage sprint motion that those guys can do. It really creates some leverage and some momentum for you."

--Field Level Media