RPOs and No-Huddle: The Offensive Innovations That Changed the NFL Forever
In a Week 7 showdown, the Kansas City Chiefs, facing a tough Denver Broncos defense, lined up with Patrick Mahomes under center. Instead of the usual huddle, Mahomes surveyed the defense, barking out quick signals. The play: an RPO. The Broncos’ linebackers hesitated, unsure if Mahomes would hand off to Isiah Pacheco or fire a quick slant to Rashee Rice. Mahomes, reading the indecision, flicked the ball to Rice, who darted past the confused linebacker for a crucial first down. This is the modern NFL, shaped by the dynamic duo of Run-Pass Options (RPOs) and the no-huddle offense.
The Rise of RPOs: A Quarterback’s Dream
The Run-Pass Option (RPO) has revolutionized offensive football. At its core, an RPO allows the quarterback to make a split-second decision to either run the ball or pass it based on the defense’s reaction. This real-time adaptability has made the RPO a cornerstone of modern offensive playbooks.
The concept isn’t entirely new. Its roots can be traced back to option-based offenses that emphasized reading defenses and making quick decisions. Rich Rodriguez, while at West Virginia University in the early 2000s, experimented with new variations of the zone read, leading to the development of the RPO system. This allowed the offense to keep the defense off balance, constantly forcing them to make split-second decisions and leaving them vulnerable to big plays.
However, advancements in offensive schemes, coupled with rule changes favoring offenses, have propelled RPOs to the forefront of football strategies. The 2009 NCAA rule change, allowing linemen to advance three yards downfield on pass plays, greatly assisted the wide receiver’s ability to run after the catch, making RPOs a staple in college playbooks.
One of the most notable examples of RPO success is the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory in 2018. Quarterback Nick Foles expertly executed RPO plays, keeping the New England Patriots’ defense off-balance and securing a championship win. In 2022, under then offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, the Eagles ran an RPO on 20% of their offensive plays.
Today, the RPO is more than a trend—it’s a fundamental aspect of how football is evolving. Coaches incorporate it to exploit defensive tendencies, and players rely on it to enhance their playmaking abilities.
No-Huddle: Speed and Confusion
The no-huddle offense, while not as novel as the RPO, has undergone a significant transformation. The no-huddle offense involves forgoing the traditional huddle between plays, allowing the offense to quickly line up and snap the ball. This tactic aims to dictate the tempo of the game, limit defensive substitutions, and exploit mismatches.
The origins of the no-huddle offense can be traced back to the 1950s. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas used it in the 1958 NFL Championship Game. Sam Wyche, with the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1980s, implemented the no-huddle as a base offense. The 1988 Bengals used the no-huddle to propel themselves to a Super Bowl appearance. The Buffalo Bills, under coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly, popularized the “K-Gun” no-huddle offense in the 1990s, leading them to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, and Tom Brady with the New England Patriots, adeptly used the no-huddle to speed up the tempo.
While the no-huddle was once a staple, its usage has evolved. According to Sports Info Solutions, seven quarterbacks had more than 100 dropbacks while operating out of a no-huddle offense in 2015. By 2023, no quarterback reached 100. Now, the no-huddle offense is predominantly used during two-minute drills or when a team is trailing late in the game.
The Dynamic Duo: RPOs and No-Huddle in Action
When combined, RPOs and the no-huddle create a potent offensive attack. The no-huddle allows the offense to quickly get to the line of scrimmage, preventing the defense from substituting and forcing them to reveal their alignment early. This gives the quarterback a better pre-snap read, making the RPO decision easier.
Washington Commanders lead the NFL in no-huddle usage, operating at a 61% rate. They average 5.4 yards per carry when running out of no-huddle.
The Evolving Defenses
As offenses have evolved, so have defenses. Defenses are now better at disguising their coverages and blitzes, making it more difficult for quarterbacks to decipher the defense before the snap.
Chuck Pagano, former Indianapolis Colts head coach and analyst for The 33rd Team, noted that defensive fronts seem to be ahead of offensive lines, allowing defenses to play more split safety and better defend the RPO game.
The Future of Offense
The NFL is a constantly evolving league, and offensive innovations are always on the horizon. While the RPO and no-huddle have become staples of the modern game, coaches are constantly looking for new ways to gain an edge.
Brian Griese, 49ers quarterbacks coach, shared that the current game revolves around pre-snap shifts and motion, which the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins have popularized.
Klint Kubiak, the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator, believes that NFL schemes are trendy and that the no-huddle will make its way back at some point.
The UFL is testing new technology that the NFL is monitoring. This includes coach-to-player communication, which allows up to eight players to have a helmet speaker, and sideline tablet video. The XFL also eliminated the NFL’s cutoff when the play clock reaches 14 seconds, a change the UFL has retained, to increase playcalling efficiency by reducing the need for full huddles.
The RPO and no-huddle offenses have left an indelible mark on the NFL. From the “K-Gun” Bills to the Super Bowl champion Eagles, these innovations have shaped the way the game is played. As the league continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see what new offensive strategies emerge.