Are RPOs the Next Big Thing to Hit NFL Offenses?

In the NFL, it’s always preferable to be the cat being copied and not the copycat. RPOs—or run-pass options—are the next step for coaches looking to gain an edge. They’ve already started to proliferate multiple offenses, and their overall usage should expand further as talented play-callers look to expand their playbooks.

RPOs are the next step in the natural evolution of offense. Others will argue the state of NFL offenses is actually devolving. 

The 2012 season became a transformative year. Everyone remembers Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson running roughshod over the league using the zone read. The play became the NFL’s latest craze and remains effective today if used judiciously. It also served as the first step within a growing trend. 

NFL coaches are constantly tinkering. Punches are met with counterpunches. Teams spread out opposing defenses. Once those defenses adjust, offenses start playing with a faster tempo. When tempo isn’t enough, wrinkles in the running game with athletic quarterbacks are added. 

RPOs are the natural extension of zone-read concepts with pass options attached to the play call. It’s up to the quarterback based on a post-snap read to decide whether to run or pass the ball. A myriad of different variations exist, which makes them so enticing. 

Mike Kuchar, the co-founder of X&O Labs, explained the allure to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman: 

Really the creative ways in which coaches are designing them. The possibilities are endless. 

The foundation of the RPO system is finding out how defenses are adding extra defenders to the run game and then devising pass tags to manipulate those ‘conflict’ defenders. There is truly so much to pick from, which is why in this study we wanted to give coaches a plan in developing the RPO system. It’s become a hybrid of the spread offense and the wishbone.

We’ve found that in order to be really successful at using RPOs, coaches must commit to them and protect all of their runs with an RPO element. This next study serves as the foundation in how to design these RPO concepts based off of elements (personnel groupings, formations, run game, etc.) they already have in their system. 

So, what exactly are RPOs, and will NFL coaches use them as primary aspects of their offenses?

At their core, RPOs—which were originally referenced as packaged plays—simplify reads for the quarterback. Within each play, the signal-caller comes to the line of scrimmage with two or three reads. They’re generally half-field reads. It’s much like option football, but spread from sideline to sideline. 

The quarterback lines up in shotgun and takes the snap. As he rides the handoff to the running back, he reads the force player. Unlike the zone read or a traditional option play, the end man at the line of scrimmage isn’t the force player. Instead, the quarterback is trying to leverage a linebacker or defensive back often found in a passing lane.  

If the read-defender vacates his coverage responsibility, the quarterback will pull the ball and target a receiver who comes open in the zone. If the defender doesn’t leave his coverage area, the running back will be handed the ball. There are many variations off of this concept, but this is the most basic explanation. 

For the offensive line, the blocking is simple: they’re run blocking whether the ball is handed off or thrown. What’s important for NFL linemen is not getting caught downfield, because college football has done a poor job officiating this aspect and allows far too much leeway when it comes to blockers three to five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. 

The Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals were the biggest proponents of RPOs this past season. 

The reasoning behind Carolina’s offensive design is obvious: Cam Newton is an unstoppable dual-threat quarterback. The reigning MVP allows offensive coordinator Mike Shula to branch out with some of the league’s most creative play-calling. 

For example, two designed RPOs are shown below, yet each is quite different in how it attacks the opposing defense. 

First, the triple-option isn’t dead; it’s merely been unclogged and spread out like everything else in today’s game. 

#Panthers: RPO…RB Counter + QB Keep + Bubble. https://t.co/Tq32mPmQRZ

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) February 1, 2016

In the example provided by ESPN.com’s Matt Bowen, Newton saw the safety—who was already lined up in the box—crash toward the ball-carrier at the mesh point—the point when the QB holds the ball against the running back’s belly and can either complete the handoff or pull the ball back. The quarterback decided the first option wasn’t the best and pulled the ball. He then had to choose between running the ball himself or throwing a bubble screen. Since the safety recovered and had Newton in his sights, the fifth-year pro did the smart thing by checking to his third option, the bubble screen. 

As everyone can see, this RPO put a lot of pressure on the defense by stretching the entire side of the field. In this case, the Atlanta Falcons first had to account for the run game before covering the alley against one of the league’s best overall athletes. After doing so, the Falcons still needed to keep someone outside to cover the wide receiver who could catch the ball even after the quarterback started to run. 

The reads are …

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