Alright, let’s gab about this here “read option” in football, you know, the NFL kind. Folks are yappin’ about if it’s against the rules now. Is it illegal or what? Let’s get this straight, like my garden rows.
What is this “Read Option” Thingamajig Anyway?

Well, from what I gather, it’s like this. The quarterback, he’s the fella’ who throws the ball, right? He pretends like he’s gonna hand it off to the runnin’ back. You know, that fella’ who tries to bulldoze his way through the other team. But then, SURPRISE! The quarterback, he might just keep the ball himself and run with it, or sometimes he might toss it to another fella’. It’s all about foolin’ the other team, makin’ ‘em guess what you’re gonna do.
- It’s kinda like when you’re bakin’ a pie. You make it look like it’s apple, but then SURPRISE! It’s got peaches in it! Got ‘em!
- The quarterback, he’s got choices. Like when you’re at the market. Do you want apples or oranges? He can give the ball or keep it. That’s the option part, I reckon.
So, is it against the rules or not?
Now, that’s what everyone’s buzzin’ about. They say the NFL, that’s the big football league, they change the rules sometimes. Like how my grandma used to change her pickle recipe every year. Some years it was sweet, some years it was sour. You never knew what you were gonna get.
They were talkin’ ‘bout changing the rules for this “read option” play in 2023. Said somethin’ ‘bout goin’ back to how they did things before. Maybe they thought it was too tricky, or maybe they didn’t want the quarterbacks gettin’ hurt runnin’ so much. Those fellas’, they’re valuable, you know. Like a good plow horse.
Why would they make it illegal?

Well, football is a rough game, no doubt about it. Those fellas’ are big and they hit hard. If the quarterback is runnin’ around with the ball all the time, he’s gonna get smacked more often. And if he gets hurt, then who’s gonna throw the ball? It’s like if your best hen stops layin’ eggs. You got a problem, right? Maybe the NFL, they just want to keep those quarterbacks safe, like precious china in the cupboard.
But some teams, they like that “read option” play.
Teams like the Redskins, Panthers, and 49ers, they got quarterbacks who are good at runnin’ with the ball. They use that “read option” play a lot. It’s like how some folks like their coffee black, some like it with cream and sugar. Everyone’s got their own way of doin’ things. If those teams can’t use the read option, they gonna have to find another way to move that ball down the field and score.
The NFL, they make videos and stuff, tryin’ to explain things.
They made a video saying that if the quarterback is runnin’ with the ball, even if it’s that “read option” thingy, then the other team can hit him like he’s just a regular runner. No special treatment just ‘cause he’s the quarterback. Fair is fair, I always say. It’s like if you’re playing tag, you’re it, you’re it. Doesn’t matter if you’re the fastest kid or the slowest.

So, where are we at now?
Well, from what I hear, they did talk about changing the rules in 2023, but it seems like they went back to the old rules from 2022. So, as far as I know, that “read option” play is still okay to use. But those NFL fellas’, they can change the rules whenever they want. Just like the weather, always changin’.
Final Word
The NFL teams can still use that “read option” play. But who knows what those fellas’ will decide next year? Maybe they’ll change their minds again. It’s like plantin’ a garden; sometimes things grow, sometimes they don’t. You just gotta keep an eye on things and adjust as you go. That’s football, and that’s life, I reckon. It’s always keepin’ you on your toes. The NFL rules can change and it is important to keep updated about the read option in the NFL. Knowing the NFL read option rules is important if you follow the game. Some teams use the read option offense and knowing these rules helps you understand the game.